Varialvus gen. nov. (Digenea, Cryptogonimidae), from species of Lutjanidae (Perciformes) off the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia and the Maldives

Researchers have discovered four new species of cryptogonimid trematodes, prompting the establishment of a novel genus, Varialvus gen. nov., which infects Lutjanidae (Perciformes) across the Indo-West Pacific. This genus is distinguished by unique morphological traits, including a fusiform to oval body, distinct gonadal structures, and specific vitelline follicle distribution. Bayesian inference analysis of genetic data confirmed that these species form a monophyletic clade, despite some morphological variations that might have suggested otherwise. Notably, one species (V. charadrus sp. nov.) exhibits a widespread biogeographic range spanning over 10,000 kilometers, from the Great Barrier Reef to New Caledonia and the Maldives. Additionally, Siphoderina lutjani was reclassified as V. lutjani n. comb. based on morphological and host group agreement with Varialvus gen. nov.

Miller, T., Bray, R., Justine, J.-L., & Cribb, T. (2010). Varialvus gen. nov. (Digenea, Cryptogonimidae), from species of Lutjanidae (Perciformes) off the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia and the Maldives. Acta Parasitologica, 55(4). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-010-0045-z