First monogenean flatworm from a microhylid frog host: Kankana, a new polystome genus from Madagascar

Kankana manampoka n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea, Polystomatidae), is described from the urinary bladder of the narrow-mouthed frog Platypelis pollicaris. This is the first record of a polystome from the Microhylidae and the third polystome genus from Madagascar, next to Metapolystoma and Madapolystoma. The extensive uterus and presence of hamuli resemble Metapolystoma but the vitellarium confined to the lateral fields in Kankana is different. Madapolystoma also has an extensive uterus but contain only up to 32 advanced developed larvae. Based on the extensive uterus filling the body proper and the vitellarium confined to two lateral fields posterior in the body this new polystome resembles Eupolystoma known from Africa and India. However, unlike Eupolystoma, the gonads are in the middle of the body, vaginae are lacking and a pair of hamuli is present. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of concatenated 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequences supplemented by genetic distances inferred from 28S and COI sequences showed that this new genus is more related to Madapolystoma, a genus only reported from Madagascar, than to Eupolystoma known from Africa and India and Metapolystoma known from Africa and Madagascar.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Madagascar is known for its rich frog diversity of more than 280 species.
► All but one species are endemic to the island.
► This scenario set the scene for speciation among the polystomes.
► This paper describes a new genus and species of anuran polystome from Madagascar.
► Kankana n. gen. is the second endemic polystome to Madagascar and the first from a microhylid frog.