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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

CP10.1: Wildlife 2: Mammals, Birds, Lizards & Wetas 10 min talks
Location: Lecture Theatre 3
Session Chair: Haylee Crawford-Weaver, DCCEEW
Session Chair: Nicholas Fountain-Jones, University of Tasmania

Presentation 3

Integrative taxonomy of Gemellicotyle sp. nov. (Digenea: Paramphistomidae) from the western grey kangaroo: combining histological, microCT imaging, and molecular data

Tanapan Sukee¹, Ian Beveridge¹, Sunita B. Sumanam¹, Jay Black², David Blair³, Anson V. Koehler¹, Robin B. Gasser¹, Neil D. Young¹

1: Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 2: School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; 3: School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, James Cook University Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Integrating traditional morphology with three-dimensional imaging and genetic data supports robust species hypotheses. The paramphistomoid fauna of Australian macropodids is poorly characterised, with two recognised genera, Gemellicotyle and Macropotrema, each containing a single species. Their conical form hampers morphological study, and no molecular data exists, making them ideal candidates for integrative taxonomy. This study describes Gemellicotyle sp. nov. from the caecum of the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus. Whole-mount microscopy, serial histology, and X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) were combined to generate 3D reconstructions and printed models, enabling characterisation of internal and external morphology. These datasets were integrated with mitochondrial genome and nuclear ribosomal sequence data obtained using long-read sequencing. Gemellicotyle sp. nov. differs from G. wallabicola by lacking a central acetabular protuberance, having simple rather than sinuous caeca, and possessing more extensive vitellaria. MicroCT reconstructions and 3D models revealed 100 acetabular projections composed of radial muscle fibres, and a complex of lymphatic channels surrounding the acetabulum. This integrative approach refines species delineation and uncovers new knowledge on an Australian endemic paramphistome that depend on freshwater snail intermediate hosts to complete its lifecycle. This species may already be extinct due to changes in climate and habitats.