The molecular and morphometrical description of a new diplozoid species from the gills of the Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) (Cyprinidae) from Turkey - Including a commentary on taxonomic division of Diplozoidae

Abstract

The paper presents a description of Paradiplozoon bingolensis sp. n. from the gills of Garra rufa Heckel, 1843 (Cyprinidae) collected from the Göynük Stream, a tributary of the Murat River, Turkey. This is the first diplozoid species to be described from G. rufa. P. bingolensis is distinguished from the other valid species in the genus by the combination of the morphology of the sclerites of its clamps and by the size of the central hooks. Even molecular characterization based on variability of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA region provided additional support of separation of this new species from the valid ones. The sequences were compared with previously published ITS2 sequences of other diplozoid species. Subsequent analysis demonstrated the uniqueness of this new parasite species and revealed uncertainties in the current taxonomic division of the Diplozoidae that are commented in the text. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.