Problems of classification of South American Proteocephalids (Cestoda). On a new classification for the group - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i1.2076

Abstract

The taxonomy of the Order Proteocephalidea, parasites of freshwater fishes, amphibia and reptilia, is being reapraised. The taxa of proteocephalids parasitizing fishes from South American rivers are evaluated on utilizing morphological characters, with the help of phylogenetic systematics. The Woodland´s classification divides the South American proteocephalids into two groups, Proteocephalidae and Monticellidae, depending on the position of vitellaria and gonads in medullar or cortical parenchyma of proglottids. With the intention to propose modifications in the classification, we discuss the trees that resulted from phylogenetic analysis. The conclusions are that the actual taxonomy of the group, based on the papers of Woodland (1933-1935), can not be supported by these analyses; consequently, it is suggested the supression of Monticellidae and its subfamilies. It is accepted only one family, Proteocephalidae, with five subfamilies: Proteocephalinae Mola, 1929, Corallobothriinae Freze, 1965, Sandonelliinae Khalil, 1960, Gangesiinae Mola, 1929 and Acanthotaeniinae Freze, 1963. The monticellid species were transferred to Corallobothriinae or Proteocephalinae, depending on the presence or not of a metascolex