12.01.2022: Christoph HAHN (Graz, Österreich): Genomic insights into the evolution of obligate parasitic flatworms (Neodermata, Platyhelminthes) um 13.15 Uhr online https://unimeet.uni-graz.at/b/hah-ndk-ist-gnm
Neodermata (Platyhelminthes) is a highly diverse assemblage of obligate parasitic flatworms, many of biomedical, veterinary and economic importance, and constitutes one
of the three largest groups of metazoan parasites of vertebrates. In other major parasitic groups, such as nematodes, vertebrate parasitism has evolved multiple times, while in Neodermata the transition has likely been a single evolutionary event. Neodermata currently comprises three groups: Monogenea (Monopisthocotylea and Polyopisthocotylea), Cestoda (tapeworms; Eucestoda and Cestodaria), and Trematoda (flukes; Aspidogastrea and Digenea). Cestoda and Trematoda are characterized by an endoparasitic lifestyle and complex life cycles, infecting a vast diversity of intermediate invertebrate- and final vertebrate hosts, including our own species. Monogenea on the other hand is characterized by a direct, primarily ectoparasitic lifestyle, mainly infecting (semi-)aquatic vertebrates, predominantly fishes. Despite decades of research, however, the interrelationships of Neodermata remain controversial. Given the distinct lifestyle characteristics (ecto- vs. endoparasitism; direct vs. complex life cycles), only through resolving the phylogenetic relationships, can we hope to understand the early stages of evolution of parasitism in the group.
I will introduce the audience to Neodermatan diversity, including little known representatives from Austria, and discuss long-standing controversies surrounding the group. Finally, I will present our latest insights based on whole genome and transcriptome data as obtained through the project "Deep Evolutionary Genomics of Monogenea", funded by the FWF, which represents a large international collaborative effort currently supported by a consortium of Monogenea experts from 15 countries and 17 research institutions.