NSF-DDIG funds will improve the resulting quality of the Co-PI's dissertation by 1) helping him generate the first comprehensive phylogeny for fish blood flukes (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) through financing the acquisition of molecular sequence data for critical taxa, thereby 2) allowing him to test for parasite-host co-phylogeny. These sequence data will mesh with the Co-PI's current morphological and ecological studies of cercarial and adult sanguinicolids to yield a combined evidence phylogeny. The phylogeny will then be compared with pre-existing fish phylogenies to test for parasite-host co-phylogeny. These results will comprise the first clade-based phylogeny for Sanguinicolidae, identify the likely sister taxon to Sanguinicolidae, and ultimately contribute to our understanding of the evolution of Digenea. Broader Impacts: NSF-DDIG funds will help finance marine parasitology research experiences for K-8, high school, and undergraduate students and the public in Mississippi, an EPSCoR state. These activities include underrepresented groups and will strengthen already-instituted partnerships and/or establish new partnerships with federal and state wildlife agencies, private industry, museums, teachers and students from a magnet school for mathematics and science, educators at a nationally-recognized marine education center, and university students and researchers.
