Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of Pojmanskatrema balcanica n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) from the Eurasian Water Shrew Neomys fodiens (Mammalia: Soricidae) in Bulgaria

Abstract

Background: We describe a new dicrocoeliid collected from the Eurasian water shrew Neomys fodiens in Bulgaria based on the combination of morphological characteristics and molecular data. Results: Pojmanskatrema balcanica n. sp., n. gen. is distinguished from all other species of family Dicrocoeliidae Looss, 1900 in having a postovarian vitellarium situated in the posterior half of the body, postacetabular, nearly tandem, lobed testes, and relatively short body. Conclusions: Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA sequences of the new species and previously sequenced dicrocoeliid taxa has demonstrated close relationship of Pojmanskatrema n. gen. with the genus Eurytrema. Considering the non-monophyletic nature of previously recognized dicrocoeliid sub-families we support the recently proposed dissolution of the sub-families within this family.