On the Evolutionary History of Philometridae (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea): Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Evidence of Character Diversification and Host–Parasite Cophylogenetic Patterns

(1) Background: Integrative taxonomy has been important in the comprehension of relationships among nematode parasites. Philometridae is a highly diverse family these organisms, but poorly-known regarding genetic characterization and evolution. An integrative taxonomic analysis was performed to improve knowledge evolutionary history Philometridae. (2) Methods: Phylogenies were reconstructed based on sequences alone integrated with morphological/life traits, which phylogenetically mapped. The host–parasite cophylogeny evaluated. (3) Results: Previously unpublished 28S rDNA are given for some species. phylogeny from this marker, although limited by data scarcity, showed similar patterns as that 18S rDNA. Clades shared common features related structure esophagus tail males (especially gubernaculum), site infection, habitat, host taxa geographic origin; most informative. better resolved. A cophylogenetic signal present mainly clades freshwater (4) Conclusions: speciation process not unique or uniform; capture, co-evolution allopatric freshwater) events may be occurring simultaneously different lineages, places times. Cases plesiomorphy retention probably occur. Evolutionary convergence poorly-informative characters suggested, even though they species diagnosis.