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Molecular approaches to trematode systematics: ‘best practice’ and implications for future study

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Abstract

To date, morphological analysis has been the cornerstone to trematode systematics. However, since the late-1980s we have seen an increased integration of genetic data to overcome problems encountered when morphological data are considered in isolation. Here, we provide advice regarding the ‘best molecular practice’ for trematode taxonomy and systematic studies, in an attempt to help unify the field and provide a solid foundation to underpin future work. Emphasis is placed on defining the study goals and recommendations are made regarding sample preservation, extraction methods, and the submission of molecular vouchers. We advocate generating sequence data from all parasite species/host species/geographic location combinations and stress the importance of selecting two independently evolving loci (one ribosomal and one mitochondrial marker). We recommend that loci should be chosen to provide genetic variation suitable to address the question at hand and for which sufficient ‘useful’ comparative sequence data already exist. Quality control of the molecular data via using proof-reading Taq polymerase, sequencing PCR amplicons using both forward and reverse primers, ensuring that a minimum of 85% overlap exists when constructing consensus sequences, and checking electropherograms by eye is stressed. We advise that all genetic results are best interpreted using a holistic biological approach, which considers morphology, host identity, collection locality, and ecology. Finally, we consider what advances next-generation sequencing holds for trematode taxonomy and systematics.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Associate Professor Thomas Cribb for organising the workshop ‘The biodiversity of trematodes of fishes’ at the 9th International Symposium on Fish Parasites and sharing his opinion on this topic. We are also grateful to two anonymous reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief for their very constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Invertebrates, Natural History Museum of Geneva, route de Malagnou 1, 1208, Geneva, Switzerland

    Isabel Blasco-Costa

  2. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Scott C. Cutmore

  3. Department of Fisheries, Fish Health Laboratory, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia

    Terrence L. Miller

  4. Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia

    Terrence L. Miller

  5. Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK

    Matthew J. Nolan

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  1. Isabel Blasco-Costa
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Correspondence to Isabel Blasco-Costa.

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Special Issue on Biodiversity of Trematodes of Fishes, Guest Edited by Thomas H. Cribb.

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Blasco-Costa, I., Cutmore, S.C., Miller, T.L. et al. Molecular approaches to trematode systematics: ‘best practice’ and implications for future study. Syst Parasitol 93, 295–306 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-016-9631-2

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