Order POLYSTOMATIDEA

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Introduction

Order Polystomatidea Lebedev, 1988

As the phylogeny, systematics and biology of the Monogenea became better understood, the higher classification scheme for the class has undergone changes. Presently, those monogeneans that used to be assigned to the Polyopisthocotylea (i.e. blood-feeders) but which parasitise lungfish, amphibians, chelonians and the hippopotamus, are now assigned to the order Polystomatidea within a separate subclass, Polystomatoinea Lebedev, 1986.

The Polystomatidea comprises two families, the Polystomatidae and Sphyranuridae Poche, 1926. In Australia, only the Polystomatidae is known and representatives infect the lungfish (Concinnocotyla), chelonian turtles (Neopolystoma, Polystomoides) and anurans (Parapolystoma). Few anurans have been surveyed for polystomatids.

History of changes