Nuclear rDNA ITS sequence variation in the trematode genus Echinostoma: an aid to establishing relationships within the 37-collar-spine group

The taxonomic history of members of the 37-collar-spine group within the genus. Echinostoma has been very confused. We obtained DNA sequence data from the nuclear rDNA ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 of 7 nominal species belonging to this group, Echinostoma trivolvis (Cort, 1914), E. revolutum (Frölich, 1802), E. caproni Richard, 1964, E. liei Jeyarasasingam et al. 1972, E. paransei Lie & Basch, 1967, two African isolates, E. sp.I and E. sp.II, and of one 28-collar-spined echinostome, E. hortense (Asada, 1926). Five of the eight species were clearly distinguishable using ITS data. Sequences from the remaining three taxa, E. caproni, E. sp.II and E. liei were identical to one another and the group containing these taxa was distant from other 37-collar-spine species on a phylogenetic tree. E. trivolvis and E. paraensei form a second, but less distinct group within the 37-collar-spine group. The resolution obtained using DNA sequencing will assist in the current reclassification of the group. It also provides a model for future work on sibling species.