Phylogenetic analysis of the Enenterinae (Digenea, Lepocreadiidae) and discussion of the evolution of the digenean fauna of kyphosid fishes

Species allocated to the digenean genera Enenterum Linton, 1910; Jeancadena tia Dollfus, 1946; Cadenatella Dollfus, 1946; and Koseiria form a clade wit hin the Lepocreadiidae whose sister group is a clade comprising Neoallolepi dapedon Yamaguti, 1965, Callogonotrema, Oshmarin, 1965, Allolepidapedon Yam aguti, 1940, and Bulbocirrus Oshmarin, 1965. Phylogenetic analysis of the E nenterinae based on comparative morphology, produced one most parsimonious tree with a consistency index of 0.72. Cadenatella is paraphyletic. Only 15 .3% of character changes are evolutionary losses, supporting earlier report s that parasitic platyhelminths have experienced little secondary simplific ation during their evolutionary history. The Enenterinae appears to have or iginated in the Pacific Ocean, becoming associated with kyphosid fishes as a result of an ancient host switch. Subsequent evolutionary diversification reflects widespread geographical dispersal, consistent with the natural hi story of kyphosids.