Diphyllidea

April 1995:

• In the most recent revision of the group (Khalil, 1994), this taxon was considered to include 3 genera.
• The total number of species was estimated at 32.
• Past records suggest the group parasitizes triakid and scyliorhinid sharks and a number of batoid families.
• The taxonomic affinities of the group are unclear; on occasion it has been allied with the lecanicephalideans.

  March 2000:

• All 3 of the previously described genera remain valid.
• No new genera have been discovered.
• The group is now thought to include approximately 40 valid species.
• Diphyllideans are now known from several additional batoid families.
• Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest the Diphyllidea are among the most basal cestode groups; they are currently accepted to be a monophyletic group allied with the other bothriate cestode groups.

Tetraphyllidea Lecanicephalidea