Molecular prospecting for European Diplostomum (Digenea: Diplostomidae) reveals cryptic diversity

► Molecular prospecting for species diversity of Diplostomum in Europe. ► Cox1 and ITS datasets for larval and adult Diplostomum spp. isolates from central Europe. ► Six genetically distinct cox1 lineages in snails and fish in the River Ruhr, Germany, drainage. ► Molecular elucidation of the life-cycles of Diplostomum spathaceum and Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. ► Twelve European lineages, including three complexes, are delineated in the datasets.