V. Leon-regagnon et al., Differentiation of Mexican species of Haematoloechus Looss, 1899 (Digenea : Plagiorchiformes): Molecular and morphological evidence, J PARASITOL, 85(5), 1999, pp. 935-946
Molecular evidence is interpreted in the light of morphology to examine the
validity of several species of Haematoloechus described as Mexican endemic
s. Internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 and 28S ribosomal genes were sequen
ced for 11 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of separate partitions and combi
ned databases was conducted. Results were analyzed, in the light of morphol
ogical evidence. Haemarolaechus macrorchis is proposed as a junior synonym
of Haematoloechus longiplexus. Haematoloechus pulcher is a sibling species
with Haematoloechus complexus in Lerma wetlands. In Mexico, Haematoloechus
medioplexus is distributed along the east coast coinciding with the distrib
ution of Rana berlandieri. The sister species of H. medioplexus is Haematol
oechus caloradensis, sharing the distribution of the uterus as a synapomorp
hic character. Haematoloechus illimis is more closely related to H. mediopl
exus and H. coloradensis than to H. complexus. Tt can be distinguished by t
he distribution of the uterus, lobed ovary, and testes.