Molecular and morphological characterisation of four diplostomid metacercariae infecting Tilapia sparrmanii (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in the North West Province, South Africa

Despite their pathogenic effects on fish, the diversity of trematodes from the family Diplostomidae remains vastly unexplored in Africa and specifically South Africa. To date, only six species of diplostomids have been reported from freshwater fishes in this country, with only two species being molecularly characterised. In this study, combined morphological and molecular analyses were used to identify and describe metacercariae of the Diplostomidae (Digenea) parasitising banded tilapia Tilapia sparrmanii (Perciformes: Cichlidae) collected within the North West Province, South Africa. Metacercariae found on the body surface and muscles of the fish were separated into four groups based on the infection site, the colour of the cysts and the morphology of excysted specimens. Isolates from each group were further identified through molecular analyses. Comparative analyses of the newly generated 28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and cox1 sequences revealed the presence of four species of which three were identified as Bolbophorus sp. 3 (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and cox1), Posthodiplostomum sp. 9 (28S rDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and Uvulifer sp. 4 (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and cox1), respectively, and the fourth species belonging to the Diplostomidae gen. sp. (28S rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and cox1). Morphology of metacercariae of Posthodiplostomum sp. was compared with metacercariae of this genus previously reported in fishes in Africa. This study presents the first molecular data for species of Bolbophorus Dubois, 1935, Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 and Uvulifer Yamaguti, 1934 from Africa, and it highlights the need for future research on the diversity of diplostomid parasites in South Africa and in Africa as whole.