Department of Nematology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616-8668, USA.
Parasitology. 2011 Nov;138(13):1688-709. doi: 10.1017/S003118201000168X. Epub 2011 Feb 1.
Herein we review theoretical and methodological considerations important for finding and delimiting cryptic species of parasites (species that are difficult to recognize using traditional systematic methods). Applications of molecular data in empirical investigations of cryptic species are discussed from an historical perspective, and we evaluate advantages and disadvantages of approaches that have been used to date. Developments concerning the theory and practice of species delimitation are emphasized because theory is critical to interpretation of data. The advantages and disadvantages of different molecular methodologies, including the number and kind of loci, are discussed relative to tree-based approaches for detecting and delimiting cryptic species. We conclude by discussing some implications that cryptic species have for research programmes in parasitology, emphasizing that careful attention to the theory and operational practices involved in finding, delimiting, and describing new species (including cryptic species) is essential, not only for fully characterizing parasite biodiversity and broader aspects of comparative biology such as systematics, evolution, ecology and biogeography, but to applied research efforts that strive to improve development and understanding of epidemiology, diagnostics, control and potential eradication of parasitic diseases.
本文回顾了在发现和划定寄生虫隐种（即使用传统系统方法难以识别的物种）方面重要的理论和方法学考虑因素。从历史角度讨论了分子数据在隐种实证研究中的应用，并评估了迄今为止使用的方法的优缺点。强调了物种划分理论和实践的发展，因为理论对于数据解释至关重要。讨论了不同分子方法学的优缺点，包括基因座的数量和种类，相对于基于树的方法在检测和划定隐种方面的优缺点。最后，我们讨论了隐种对寄生虫学研究计划的一些影响，强调在发现、划定和描述新物种（包括隐种）时，必须认真注意涉及的理论和操作实践，这不仅对于充分描述寄生虫生物多样性和更广泛的比较生物学方面（如系统学、进化、生态学和生物地理学）至关重要，而且对于努力改善寄生虫病的流行病学、诊断、控制和潜在根除的应用研究也至关重要。
