6^th International Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny

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5. Microscopic demonstrations

 Two cestode groups, Proteocephalidea and the other one not yet selected group, were selected for microscopic demonstratios:

 Coordinators (Proteocephalidea)

Tomáš Scholz, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic (tscholz@paru.cas.cz)

Alain de Chambrier, The Natural History Museum, Geneva, Switzerland (alain.dechambrier@ville-ge.ch)

Annotation to working group

The order Proteocephalidea includes almost 400 species parasitic predominantly in freshwater fish, but with a number of taxa described from reptiles and amphibians, and one species found in a mammal. Life cycles of proteocephalideans probably always include cyclopid copepods as intermediate hosts, but it is uncertain whether another host, mainly prey fish, may be involved in the life cycles of some taxa. Members of the order typically possess four muscular suckers on the scolex, which may also have an additional apical structure of different appearance, including a rostellum-like organ armed with hooklets, thus resembling the rostellum of cyclophyllideans. However, a close relationship of proteocephalideans with “tetraphyllidean” cestodes, especially with Acanthobothrium (Oncobothriidae), is now unquestionable. Molecular data also suggest that the existing classification of the order, based on the position of internal longitudinal musculature to the genital organs and the presence/absence of a metascolex, may be artificial, because most major taxa, including subfamilies and the most abundant genera, such as Proteocephalus and Ophiotaenia, appear to be artificial assemblages of unrelated taxa. During the workshop microscopical slides of selected representatives of the order will be presented, with focus on species from different host groups and geographical regions. In addition, examples of a variety of morphological structures typical of the Proteocephalidea will also be demonstrated, with the emphasis given to the morphology of the scolex, its apical structures, and different topology of genital organs.

 Notes for active participants

Participants, which are interested in the topic, are welcome to present their own slides.

 Coordinators (not yet selected group)

Vasyl V. Tkach, University of North Dacota, Department of Biology, Grand Forks, USA (vasyl.tkach@und.nodak.edu)

 Annotation to working group: Will be supplemented later

 Notes for active participants: Will be supplemented later