Diceratocephala boschmai (Platyhelminthes: Temnocephalida) from crayfsh farms in Tailand: investigation of the topographic surface and analysis of 18S ribosomal DNA sequences

Abstract

In commercial astaciculture, Diceratocephala boschmai is known to be an ectosymbiont temnocephalid that is widelydistributed on Cherax spp., freshwater crayfsh native to Australia. Tis study makes the frst report of D . boschmai in samples collectedfrom C. destructor from crayfsh farms in Tailand. A description of its internal anatomy is given, and its topographic surface is describedusing scanning electron microscopy. Te phylogeny of D . boschmai in the Rhabdocoela was analyzed for the frst time based on 18Sribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. Based on the 18S rDNA sequences, temnocephalids, including D. boschmai, are monophyleticwithin Rhabdocoela. Te congruence between molecular data and morphological information is discussed in the text. Te fndingsreported in the present study add to the body of knowledge on temnocephalids.