The most studied digenean of marine organisms in Chile is by far Proctoeces humboldti, a parasite of the intestine of the clingfish Sicyases sanguineus and gonad of the keyhole limpet Fissurella spp. (progenetic metacercariae). The mussel Perumytilus purpuratus has been suggested as the first intermediate host for this digenean. In a study examining the parasites of S. sanguineus from central Chile, we found specimens of Proctoeces showing significant morphological differences with P. humboldti. To assist in the resolution of the taxonomic identification of these specimens, as well sporocysts obtained from the mussel P. purpuratus from central and northern Chile, phylogenetic studies using DNA sequences from the SSU rRNA, as well the LSU rRNA and Cox 1 gene were performed. Results showed that the clingfish S. sanguineus is a host for two species of Proctoeces (P. humboldti and P. syciases n. sp.) along the northern and central Chilean coast, without geographic separation; the mussel P. purpuratus is the first intermediate host for P. syciases n. sp. but not for P. humboldti in central and northern Chile. Fissurellids (Archaeogastropoda) along the Chilean coast harbor only progenetic stages of P. humboldti, but there is no evidence of progenesis for P. syciases. The reinstatement of Proctoeces humboldti is strongly suggested.
Keywords: Cox 1; Digenea; LSU rRNA; New species; SSU rRNA; Southeastern Pacific.
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