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Abstract Metacercariae of the genus Posthodiplostomum are often recorded in freshwater fish hosts. While the diversity and taxonomy of this genus are receiving increasing attention in molecular phylogenetic studies, available data remain geographically biased. Most molecular studies of Posthodiplostomum and morphologically similar (neascus) worms originate in North America and Europe and Asia (more than 60% of DNA sequences are from USA and Canada), with few data currently available from the Neotropics, where high host diversity suggests high and under-sampled parasite diversity. In this study, we report molecular and morphological data from metacercariae of Posthodiplostomum in fish in Puerto Rico, where only a single species has been previously reported. Partial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 from metacercariae from Dajaus monticola (native to Puerto Rico) and the introduced fishes Poecilia reticulata , Parachromis managuensis , Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides revealed 7 genetically distinct species-level lineages, of which 4 were novel. We report novel molecular life-cycle linkages in Posthodiplostomum macrocotyle (metacercariae in muscle of the cichlid Pa. managuensis ), a species previously known only from adults in birds from South America; and in Posthodiplostomum sp. 23 (metacercariae in poeciliids), which has recently been found in Ardea herodias in Georgia, USA. We also report the first molecular data from Posthodiplostomum sp. 8 in M. salmoides in the Caribbean. Metacercariae of most species were morphologically distinguished and all displayed narrow specificity for fish hosts, with no indication of parasite sharing among introduced and native fishes. 

Schistosomatidae Stiles and Hassall 1898 is a medically significant family of digenetic trematodes (Trematoda: Digenea), members of which infect mammals or birds as definitive hosts and aquatic or amphibious gastropods as intermediate hosts. Currently, there are 17 named genera, for many of which evolutionary interrelationships remain unresolved. The lack of a resolved phylogeny has encumbered our understanding of schistosomatid evolution, specifically patterns of host-use and the role of host-switching in diversification. Here, we used targeted sequence capture of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs) from representatives of 13 of the 17 named genera and 11 undescribed lineages that are presumed to represent either novel genera or species to generate a phylogenomic dataset for the estimation of schistosomatid interrelationships. This study represents the largest phylogenetic effort within the Schistosomatidae in both the number of loci and breadth of taxon sampling. We present a near-comprehensive family-level phylogeny providing resolution to several clades of long-standing uncertainty within Schistosomatidae, including resolution for the placement of the North American mammalian schistosomes, implying a second separate capture of mammalian hosts. Additionally, we present evidence for the placement of Macrobilharzia at the base of the Schistosoma + Bivitellobilharzia radiation. Patterns of definitive and intermediate host use and a strong role for intermediate host-switching are discussed relative to schistosomatid diversification. 

Although parasites are increasingly recognized for their ecosystem roles, it is often assumed that free‐living organisms dominate animal biomass in most ecosystems and therefore provide the primary pathways for energy transfer.

To examine the contributions of parasites to ecosystem energetics in freshwater streams, we quantified the standing biomass of trematodes and free‐living organisms at nine sites in three streams in western Oregon, USA. We then compared the rates of biomass flow from snailsJuga pliciferainto trematode parasites relative to aquatic vertebrate predators (sculpin, cutthroat trout and Pacific giant salamanders).

The trematode parasite community had the fifth highest dry biomass density among stream organisms (0.40 g/m²) and exceeded the combined biomass of aquatic insects. Only host snails (3.88 g/m²), sculpin (1.11 g/m²), trout (0.73 g/m²) and crayfish (0.43 g/m²) had a greater biomass. The parasite ‘extended phenotype’, consisting of trematode plus castrated host biomass, exceeded the individual biomass of every taxonomic group other than snails. The substantial parasite biomass stemmed from the high snail density and infection prevalence, and the large proportional mass of infected hosts that consisted of trematode tissue (M = 31% per snail).

Estimates of yearly biomass transfer from snails into trematodes were slightly higher than the combined estimate of snail biomass transfer into the three vertebrate predators. Pacific giant salamanders accounted for 90% of the snail biomass consumed by predators.

These results demonstrate that trematode parasites play underappreciated roles in the ecosystem energetics of some freshwater streams.