Integrative taxonomy of the genus Pseudoacanthocephalus (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchida) in China, with the description of two new species and the characterization of the mitochondrial genomes of Pseudoacanthocephalus sichuanensis sp. n. and Pseudoa

Two new species of the genus Pseudoacanthocephalus, namely P. sichuanensis sp. n. and P. previatesticulus sp. n., were identified based on integrated evidence. This is the first report of P. nguyenthileae in China. A revised key for the species of the genus Pseudoacanthocephalus was provided. Molecular analyses revealed that the mitochondrial cox1, cox2 and 12S genes as genetic markers seem to be more suitable for species delimitation of Pseudoacanthocephalus than the nuclear ITS region. BI results suggested a close affinity between P. sichuanensis and P. nguyenthileae. The mitochondrial genomic data of P. sichuanensis and P. nguyenthileae are provided for the first time. Mitogenomic phylogenetic results further confirmed the validity of the family Pseudoacanthocephalidae.