Morphological and molecular characterisation of Ditrachybothridium macrocephalum Rees, 1959 (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from Galeus melastomus Rafinesque in the Western Mediterranean.

New morphological, molecular and ecological data for Ditrachybothridium macrocephalum Rees, 1959 (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) are presented and discussed based on specimens recovered from the blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus Rafinesque (Scyliorhinidae) in the Western Mediterranean. A redescription of the plerocercus of this parasite is provided and new data on immature and mature worms including the first description of the eggs are reported, based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations. Analysis of 28S rDNA (domains D1-D3) sequences from plerocerci, immature and adult specimens revealed that they are conspecific with specimens from the North East Atlantic. Although previous authors considered that museum specimens identified as D. macrocephalum may represent more than one species, examination of type- and voucher material revealed no relevant morphological differences between museum specimens and the present material. Information on infection levels of D. macrocephalum is provided from a large number of host specimens (n = 170). This species was more abundant in juvenile than in adult hosts and on the middle slope than on the upper slope; this may be related to ontogenetic and bathymetric diet shifts of G. melastomus.