Y.I. Ivashko, D.M. Atopkin, A.E. Zhokhov, V.V. Besprozvannykh
Паразитология 2026; 60(4): 347-369
Combined morphological data and 28S rRNA gene sequences were obtained for three European species: Parasymphylodora markewitschi, P. parasquamosa, and Asymphylodora tincae. Additionally, the first molecular data for the cox1 mtDNA gene were generated for representatives of the Asymphylodorinae from Europe and the Far East. Significant intraspecific morphological differences were detected among specimens within both P. markewitschi and A. tincae. Given their genetic identity at the molecular level, these morphologically distinct trematodes were classified as different intraspecific morphotypes, including five for P. markewitschi and three for A. tincae. The results of the present study demonstrate that the morphological and molecular variation of European and Far Eastern asymphylodorine species differ considerably. A hypothesis explaining these differences is proposed and discussed.
