Dactylogyrids (Monogenea: Dactylogyridea) with unusual number of the anchors, their origin and phylogenetic significance. Original data

The haptors Dactylogyrus spp., Anacanthorus sp., Trianchoratus sp. and Schilbetrematoides pseudodactylogyrus are investigated. On the base of the morphology, transfer of the domus, etc. a homology of the hooks in dactylogyrids (s. s.) and the pin-like structures (4 "A") in the haptor of Anacanthorinae and Dactylogyridae sensu Bychowsky et Nagibina, 1978 is demonstrated. The vestiges of the anchors in the haptor of dactylogyrids (s. l.), according to morphological data, correspond to the point of anchor formed during the ontogenesis. In S. pseudodactylogyrus the pins are redescribed as typical vestiges of the anchors.     

Philureter trigoniopsis, a new genus and species (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) from the ureters and urinary bladder of Galaxias maculatus (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) in Patagonia (Argentina)

The monotypic Philureter n. gen. (Ancyrocephalinae; Dactylogyridae) is proposed to accommodate Philureter trigoniopsis n. sp. with the following features: presence of a cuplike ventral haptor armed with 14 hooks and 2 anchor/bar complexes; dorsal pair of anchors poorly defined and variable in shape, 1 frequently absent; tandem, intercecal gonads, testis bilaterally lobulated. Philureter trigoniopsis n. sp. is described from the ureters and urinary bladder of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842) (Osmeriformes) in Patagonian Andean lakes, Argentina.     

Two new species of Cryptocephalum n. gen. (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from the cephalic lateral line of Percichthys trucha (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in Patagonia, Argentina

Two new species of Monogenoidea were found parasitizing the cephalic lateral line canals of Percichthys trucha (Valenciennes) (Perciformes: Percichthyidae). These species are described as members of a newly proposed genus of Dactylogyridae. Cryptocephalum n. gen. is characterized by the site of infection and the combination of the several features: ventral and dorsal anchor/bar complexes, anchors with strongly elongated shaft and recurved point, shaft and point of dorsal anchors protruding laterally from haptor, hooks with 2 subunits and with pair 5 smaller than the others; gonads overlapping; coiled male copulatory organ with counterclockwise rings, accessory piece formed by 2 distinct parts, and a tubular, sclerotized ventral vagina. C ryptocephalum petreum n. sp. is characterized by having both anchor pairs protruding laterally from haptor, male copulatory organ with a coil of 2-1/2 rings, accessory piece tweezers-shaped, and sclerotized vaginal vestibule. Cryptocephalum spiralis n. sp. has ventral anchors protruding ventrally and dorsal ones protruding laterally, male copulatory organ with a coil of 1-1/2 rings, the antero-dorsal part of the accessory piece saddle-shaped, vaginal vestibule not present, and coiled vagina. This is the first record of Dactylogyridae species parasitizing the cephalic lateral line of fishes.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 32. Cacatuocotyle paranaensis n. g., n. sp. (Dactylogyridae,Ancyrocephalinae) from Characidium spp. (Teleostei,Characidae) from the State of Paraná, Brazil

Cacatuocotyle paranaensis n. sp. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) is described from the gills of the characid fishes Characidium lanei Travassos and C. pterostictum Gomes collected from two streams on the coast of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Cacatuocotyle n. g. is proposed for species possessing a single cephalic lobe (terminal), one pair of head organs, a convex haptor with thickened muscular anterior margins, one anchor-bar complex (ventral), seven pairs of ventral hooks (one pair associated with the anchor shafts; one central pair anterior to the bar; five submarginal bilateral pairs) and a sinistral vaginal aperture.     

The family Tetraonchidae (Monogenea): its structure and position among the monogeneans

The muscle fascicles of the haptor in Tetraonchus monenteron have been described. The muscle connection of the fan-shaped dorsal bars with dorsal anchors is shown. When these muscle fascicles are contracted the dorsal anchors works as pincers. The division of tetraonchids into two genera based on types of copulatory organs, morphology of bars and haptor ans associations with different groups of fishes is restored. Different authors based on ciliated cells and chaetotaxy of the oncomiracidium and comparative spermiogenetic of T. monenteron include the tetraonchids with 16 marginal hooks into the order Dactylogyroidea. In the same time, based on the analysis of the onthogenesis of the dactylogyrid's haptor they postulate, that the haptor of these worms originally had 2 pairs of anchors and only 14 marginal hooks. The present paper contains data indicating that different representatives of the Dactylogyridea have 14-18 marginal hooks. Author put forward a suggestion, that some group of dactylogyrids originally did not have the anchors.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 33. Three new species of Ancistrohaptor n. g. (Dactylogyridae,Ancyrocephalinae) on Triportheus spp. (Teleostei,Characidae) from Brazil,with checklists of ancyrocephalines recorded from neotropical characiform fishes

Three new species of Ancistrohaptor n. g. are described from the gills of three species of Triportheus (Characidae) collected from the environs of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil: A. falcatum n. sp. from T. elongatus; and A. falciferum n. sp. and A. falcunculum n. sp. from T. angulatus, T. albus and T. elongatus. Ancistrohaptor n. g. is proposed for species possessing overlapping gonads, a dextral or dextroventral vaginal aperture, a coiled (counter-clockwise) male copulatory organ, two accessory pieces in the copulatory complex, and a haptor armed with two pairs of anchors (ventral anchor with elongate shaft), dorsal and ventral bars and 14 hooks; hook pair 1 (ventral) anterior to ventral bar, pairs 2–4 (ventral) lying bilaterally anterior to ventral anchor bases, pair 5 (ventral) associated with distal end of ventral anchor shafts, and pairs 6 and 7 (dorsal) bilateral about midway along haptoral length. Parasite-host and host-parasite lists of the Ancyrocephalinae from neotropical Characiformes are provided.     

Revision of Parancylodiscoides Caballero y C. & Bravo-Hollis, 1961 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae), with a redescription of P. longiphallus (MacCallum, 1915) from the Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet) (Acanthuroidei: Ephippidae) in the Gulf of Mexico

The generic diagnosis of Parancylodiscoides Caballero y C. & Bravo-Hollis, 1961 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae), with three valid species, was amended to include dactylogyrids having: a haptor with dorsal and ventral anchor/bar complexes, 14 hooks (seven pairs) and four reservoirs (two pairs); a dorsal bar with bifurcate ends; hooks with protruding, blunt and slightly depressed thumbs and undilated shanks; a dextroventral vaginal aperture leading to an elongate and oblique vaginal vestibule; a germarium dextral to the testis; a vas deferens looping the left intestinal caecum; a copulatory complex lacking an accessory piece; and two intestinal caeca lacking diverticula and united posterior to the gonads. Parancylodiscoides is most similar to Sundatrema Lim & Gibson, 2009, from which it differs only by the position of the vaginal aperture (sinistroventral in Sundatrema spp.) and by lacking a sucker-like genital pore. New information concerning the number and distribution of haptoral hooks, the relative positions of the gonads and the course of the vas deferens was provided for the type-species, P. chaetodipteri Caballero y C. & Bravo-Hollis, 1961. Parancylodiscoides longiphallus (MacCallum, 1915) Lim & Gibson, 2009 was redescribed based on specimens collected from the Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber from the Gulf of Mexico off Mississippi and Guaratuba Bay, Paraná, Brazil; its occurrence on the Atlantic spadefish from the Gulf of Mexico, Guaratuba Bay and off Puerto Rico represented new geographical records for this helminth. Parancylodiscoides caballerobravorum Cezar, Luque & Amato, 1999 was considered a junior subjective synonym of P. longiphallus. The monotypic Isohaliotrema Young, 1968 was placed in synonymy with Parancylodiscoides and its type-species, I. platacis Young, 1968, transferred to Parancylodiscoides as Parancylodiscoides platacis (Young, 1968) n. comb.     

Policlithrum ponticum sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae: Polyclithrinae) from Mugil cephalus from the Black Sea and problems of suprageneric systematics of the gydrodactylids

Polyclithrum ponticum sp. n. is described and P. mugilini Rogers, 1967 is redescribed. Both monogenean species are parasites of Mugil cephalus in the Black Sea. The new species differs from P. mugilini, P. alberti and P. boegeri by the lesser size of anchors, while it is distinguished from P. corallense by the larger size of these structures. P. ponticum sp. n. differs from all formerly described species by the greater length of dorsal connective bar. In both species from the Black Sea, "ear-like" structures situated near the external roots of anchors are described for the first time. It is suggested, that these structures take part in longitudinal, two-lobe folding of the haptor. The process of opening the haptor is probably performed by the additional bars of the haptor (bars 2 and 3 after: Rogers, 1967), joined to each other and with the anchors. The fifth pair of additional bars (Ernst e. a., 2000) derives from the "beard" of ventral connective bar and is united with its basal part. The sixth pair of additional bars (Ernst e. a., 2000) is considered as a typical "ribs" of the haptor, and therefore the "ribs" are represented by three pairs. Differences between marginal hooks of P. ponticum sp. n. and P. mugilini are insignificant, that probably depends on the presence of "ribs" of the haptor. Based on the subdivision of marginal hooks into two groups, the presence of additional supporting structure in the haptor, and the presence of the seminal receptacle, it is suggested that the subfamily Polyclithrinae Rogers, 1967 should include the genera Polyclithrum Rogers, 1967, Swingleus Rogers, 1969, Macrogyrodactylus Mamlberg, 1959, and probably Fundulotrema Hargis, 1955. Based on such characters as the lack of the anchors, the presence of suckers in the haptor, and ovipositing of eggs, it seems to be expedient to use the following taxa in systematics of gyrodactylids: Isancistrinae Fuhrmann, 1928 (genera Isancistrum, Anacanthocotyle); Gyrdicotylinae Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (Gyrdicotyle) and Ooegyrodactylinae Harris, 1983 (genera Phanerothecium, Ooegyrodactylus, Nothogyrodactylus, Hyperopletes).     

Phenotypic Buffering in a Monogenean: Canalization and Developmental Stability in Shape and Size of the Haptoral Anchors of Ligophorus cephali (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae)

Phenotypic variation results from the balance between sources of variation and counteracting regulatory mechanisms. Canalization and developmental stability are two such mechanisms, acting at two different levels of regulation. The issue of whether or not they act concurrently as a common developmental buffering capacity has been subject to debate. We used geometric morphometrics to quantify the mechanisms that guarantee phenotypic constancy in the haptoral anchors of Ligophorus cephali. Canalization and developmental stability were appraised by estimating inter- and intra-individual variation, respectively, in size and shape of dorsal and ventral anchors. The latter variation was estimated as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) between anchor pairs. The general-buffering-capacity hypothesis was tested by two different methods based on correlations and Principal Components Analyses of the different components of size and shape variation. Evidence for FA in the dorsal and ventral anchors in both shape and size was found. Our analyses supported the hypothesis of a general developmental buffering capacity. The evidence was more compelling for shape than for size and, particularly, for the ventral anchors than for the dorsal ones. These results are in line with previous studies of dactylogyrids suggesting that ventral anchors secure a firmer, more permanent attachment, whereas dorsal anchors are more mobile. Because fixation to the host is crucial for survival in ectoparasites, we suggest that homeostatic development of the ventral anchors has been promoted to ensure the morphological constancy required for efficient attachment. Geometric morphometrics can be readily applied to other host-monogenean models, affording not only to disentangle the effects of canalization and developmental stability, as shown herein, but to further partition the environmental and genetic components of the former.     

A new diplectanid (Monogenea) genus and species from the gills of the black snook, Centropomus nigrescens (Perciformes: Centropomidae) of the Pacific coast of Mexico

Cornutohaptor nigrescensi n. sp. (Diplectanidae) is described from the gills of the black snook, Centropomus nigrescens (Perciformes: Centropomidae) from the Pacific coast of Mexico. Cornutohaptor n. gen. is proposed for this new species and is characterized by possessing 2 intestinal ceca terminating blindly; a germarium looping right intestinal cecum; bilobed testis; 2 seminal vesicles; 7 pairs of hooks, each with protruding thumb; a grooved ventral bar and coiled male copulatory organ (MCO); an accessory piece comprising a "baglike structure" with an appendage; dorsal bars associated parallelly to body midline; and no adhesive accessory organs on the haptor. Cornutohaptor differs from all confamilial genera by including species with anchors with straight and deep root longest, hook pair 1 reduced in size, MCO with counterclockwise rings, and by the morphology of the accessory piece. Cornutohaptor nigrescensi most closely resembles species of Murraytrema Price, 1937, Lobotrema Tripathi, 1937, and Murraytrematoides Yamaguti, 1958, because of the absence of squamodiscs or lamellodiscs on the haptor and tegumental scales on the posterior portion of the body. Cornutohaptor differs from these genera in the position and number of haptoral bars (2 bars in Lobotrema spp., dorsal bars transversally associated in Murraytrema and Murraytrematoides spp.) and in having a coiled MCO (copulatory organ is a comparatively straight, poorly sclerotized tube in Murraytrematoides spp.). This is the first diplectanid described from a centropomid along the Pacific coast of Mexico.     

New species and geographical records of dactylogyrids (Monogenea) of catfish (Siluriformes) from the Peruvian Amazonia

Three new species of gill monogeneans (Dactylogyridae: Ancyrocephalinae) are described from siluriform catfish from Iquitos, Peru: Demidospermus mortenthaleri n. sp. from Brachyplatystoma juruense (Boulenger), Demidospermus brevicirrus n. sp. from Pimelodus sp., and Aphanoblastella aurorae n. sp. from Goeldiella eques (Müller & Troschel). Demidospermus mortenthaleri is characterized by a male copulatory organ (MCO) with a small loop at its middle portion; 2 types of hooks, of which pairs 5 and 6 are longer than the remaining hooks; a proximal subunit round and highly depressed thumb; and a sclerotized vagina with a round pad at the vaginal aperture. Demidospermus brevicirrus is distinguished from other congeners by the presence of a short, straight, and robust MCO and boot-shaped accessory piece with a hooked projection directed posteriorly. Aphanoblastella aurorae is the only species of the genus that possesses an arrow-shaped sclerotized vagina and a medial process on the dorsal bar. Another 6 dactylogyrids described previously are recorded for the first time from the Peruvian Amazonia: Cosmetocleithrum bulbocirrus Kritsky, Thatcher and Boeger, 1986 ; Vancleaveus fungulus Kritsky, Thatcher and Boeger, 1986 ; V. janauacaensis Kritsky, Thatcher and Boeger, 1986 ; V. platyrhynchi Kritsky, Thatcher and Boeger, 1986 ; Unilatus unilatus Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967 ; and U. brittani Mizelle, Kritsky and Crane, 1968 . Based on observations of specimens collected in the Peruvian Amazonia, new morphological data for these species are provided. Comparison of new specimens of U. unilatus and U. brittani with those of Unilatus brevispinus Suriano, 1985 and Unilatus longispinus Suriano, 1985 , both originally described from Brazil, has shown that they are conspecific. Therefore, the latter species were synonymized with U. unilatus and U. brittani , respectively. In addition, 56 undescribed monogeneans found in catfish from the Peruvian Amazonia, some of them probably belonging to new genera, are listed.     

A new genus and three new species of dactylogyrids (Monogenea), gill parasites of the threadfin bass,Pronotogrammus multifasciatus Gill (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off Peru

Pronotogrammella n. g. is erected to accommodate Pronotogrammella boegeri n. sp. (type-species), Pr. scholzi n. sp. and Pr. multifasciatus n. sp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae). The new species are gill parasites of the threadfin bass Pronotogrammus multifasciatus Gill (Perciformes: Serranidae), a demersal teleost collected from off the coastal zone of Puerto Pizarro, Tumbes, Peru. Pronotogrammella n. g. is mainly characterised by having broadly fork-shaped dorsal anchors, which have an accessory anchor sclerite articulated to the tip of the superficial roots. Pronotogrammella n. g. is also characterised by having: (i) a tubular tapered-shaped male copulatory organ (MCO), filamentous distally, with a clockwise coil at distal end or not, lacking accessory piece; (ii) a dorsal bar with an anteromedial delicate umbelliform membrane supported by two processes; (iii) hooks with upright blunt thumb and uniform shank; (iv) a vaginal aperture dextrolateral; (v) a subquadrangular haptor, with inconspicuous lateral flaps and lacking haptoral reservoirs; and (vi) eye-spot or chromatic granules absent. Pronotogrammella boegeri n. sp. is characterised by its crosier-shaped MCO having a clockwise coil at distal end and by its dorsal bar with a straight anteromedial processes. Pronotogrammella scholzi n. sp. is typified by possessing of a dorsal bar with the anteromedial processes like cow horns, hoof-shaped deep roots of the dorsal anchors and a broader shaft of the MCO. Pronotogrammella multifasciatus n. sp. differs from all congeners by having a tubular MCO with twisted shaft and a base with a short and broad arm and by having an almost dumbbell-shaped ventral bar.

     

On the ontogeny of the haptor and the evolution of the Monogenea

Data on the ontogeny of the posterior haptor of monogeneans were obtained from more than 150 publications and summarised. These data were plotted into diagrams showing evolutionary capacity levels based on the theory of a progressive evolution of marginal hooks, anchors and other attachment components of the posterior haptor in the Monogenea (Malmberg, 1986). 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks are assumed to be the most primitive monogenean haptoral condition. Thus the diagrams were founded on a 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hook evolutionary capacity level, and the evolutionary capacity levels of anchors and other haptoral attachement components were arranged according to haptoral ontogenetical sequences. In the final plotting diagram data on hosts, type of spermatozoa, oncomiracidial ciliation, sensilla pattern and protonephridial systems were also included. In this way a number of correlations were revealed. Thus, for example, the number of 5 + 5 marginal hooks correlates with the most primitive monogenean type of spermatozoon and with few sensillae, many ciliated cells and a simple protonephridial system in the oncomiracidium. On the basis of the reviewed data it is concluded that the ancient monogeneans with 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks were divided into two main lines, one retaining unhinged marginal hooks and the other evolving hinged marginal hooks. Both main lines have recent representatives at different marginal hook evolutionary capacity levels, i.e. monogeneans retaining a haptor with only marginal hooks. For the main line with hinged marginal hooks the name Articulon-choinea n. subclass is proposed. Members with 8 + 8 hinged marginal hooks only are here called Proanchorea n. superord. Monogeneans with unhinged marginal hooks only are here called Ananchorea n. superord. and three new families are erected for its recent members: Anonchohapteridae n. fam., Acolpentronidae n. fam. and Anacanthoridae n. fam. (with 7 + 7, 8 + 8 and 9 + 9 unhinged marginal hooks, respectively). Except for the families of Articulonchoinea (e.g. Acanthocotylidae, Gyrodactylidae, Tetraonchoididae) Bychowsky's (1957) division of the Monogenea into the Oligonchoinea and Polyonchoinea fits the proposed scheme, i.e. monogeneans with unhinged marginal hooks form one old group, the Oligonchoinea, which have 5 + 5 unhinged marginal hooks, and the other group form the Polyonchoinea, which (with the exception of the Hexabothriidae) has a greater number (7 + 7, 8 + 8 or 9 + 9) of unhinged marginal hooks. It is proposed that both these names, Oligonchoinea (sensu mihi) and Polyonchoinea (sensu mihi), will be retained on one side and Articulonchoinea placed on the other side, which reflects the early monogenean evolution. Except for the members of Ananchorea [Polyonchoinea], all members of the Oligonchoinea and Polyonchoinea have anchors, which imply that they are further evolved, i.e. have passed the 5 + 5 marginal hook evolutionary capacity level (Malmberg, 1986). There are two main types of anchors in the Monogenea: haptoral anchors, with anlages appearing in the haptor, and peduncular anchors, with anlages in the peduncle. There are two types of haptoral anchors: peripheral haptoral anchors, ontogenetically the oldest, and central haptoral anchors. Peduncular anchors, in turn, are ontogenetically younger than peripheral haptoral anchors. There may be two pairs of peduncular anchors: medial peduncular anchors, ontogentically the oldest, and lateral peduncular anchors. Only peduncular (not haptoral) anchors have anchor bars. Monogeneans with haptoral anchors are here called Mediohaptanchorea n. superord. and Laterohaptanchorea n. superord. or haptanchoreans. All oligonchoineans and the oldest polyonchoineans are haptanchoreans. Certain members of Calceostomatidae [Polyonchoinea] are the only monogeneans with both (peripheral) haptoral and peduncular anchors (one pair). These monogeneans are here called Mixanchorea n. superord. Polyonchoineans with peduncular anchors and unhinged marginal hooks are here called the Pedunculanchorea n. superord. The most primitive pedunculanchoreans have only one pair of peduncular anchors with an anchor bar, while the most advanced have both medial and lateral peduncular anchors; each pair having an anchor bar. Certain families of the Articulonchoinea, the Anchorea n. superord., also have peduncular anchors (parallel evolution): only one family, the Sundanonchidae n. fam., has both medial and lateral peduncular anchors, each anchor pair with an anchor bar. Evolutionary lines from different monogenean evolutionary capacity levels are discussed and a new system of classification for the Monogenea is proposed.In agreeing to publish this article, I recognise that its contents are controversial and contrary to generally accepted views on monogenean systematics and evolution. I have anticipated a reaction to the article by inviting senior workers in the field to comment upon it: their views will be reported in a future issue of this journal. EditorIn agreeing to publish this article, I recognise that its contents are controversial and contrary to generally accepted views on monogenean systematics and evolution. I have anticipated a reaction to the article by inviting senior workers in the field to comment upon it: their views will be reported in a future issue of this journal. Editor     

Calicobenedenia Polyprioni n. gen., n. sp. (Monogenoidea: Capsalidae) from the external surfaces of wreckfish, Polyprion americanus (Teleostei: Polyprionidae), in the north Atlantic

Calicobenedenia polyprioni n. sp. (Capsalidae) is described from the external surfaces (skin and eye) of wreckfish, Polyprion americanus (Teleostei, Perciformes, Polyprionidae), from the north Atlantic Ocean. The monotypic Calicobenedenia n. gen. is proposed for this species and is characterized, in part, by its members possessing an aseptate haptor armed with 14 submarginal hooks and 1 pair of anchors, a common genital pore opening marginally immediately posterior to the left cephalic lobe, 2 testes juxtaposed near the body midlength, and by lacking cephalic suckers or adhesive discs, accessory haptoral sclerites, and a uterine valve. The new genus most closely resembles Entobdella, which differs from Calicobenedenia by having an aseptate haptor armed with 14 submarginal hooks, 2 pairs of anchors, and a pair of accessary sclerites.     

A description of a new species Gyrodactylus moldovicus sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from the European mudminnow Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792 from the lower Dnester basin

Gyrodactylus moldovicus sp. n. found on gills, body and in nasal cavities of the European mudminnow (Umbra krameri) differs from G. slovacicus Ergens, 1963 also living on the this host by bigger size of the body, anchors and marginal hooks; from G. cylindriformes Mueller et Van Cleave, 1932 living on the American mudminnow Umbra limi--by bigger size of the body; from G. limi Wood et Mizelle, 1957 also from U. limi--by the form of ventral and dorsal bars and form of marginal hooks. It differs from other freshwater gyrodactylids by special type of marginal hooks which have a hook-like end of the blade. Gyrodactylus moldovicus, G. slovacicus and G. limi have marginal hooks of quite different morphological types. By the morphology of anchors, ventral and sometimes dorsal bars and also morphology of cirrus, G. moldovicus is most related to three species from Cyprininae: G. stankovichi Ergens, 1970, G. longoacuminatus Zitnan, 1964 f. typica and G. shulmani Ling, 1962.     

A new genus of dactylogyrid from the gills of Galaxias maculatus (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) in Maullín Basin, Patagonia, Chile

During a parasitological survey of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842) in the Maullín Basin (Chilean Patagonia), specimens of a new species of Monogenea were collected from the gills. This species is described as the only member of a proposed new genus, Inserotrema n. gen. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae), characterized by similar hooks with 2 subunits, overlapping gonads, coiled cirrus with counterclockwise rings, articulated accessory piece formed by 2 parts, a needlelike sclerite threading the distal part of the MCO, and a sclerotized midventral vagina. This new genus is proposed for dactylogyrids from gills of galaxiids (Galaxiidae). Inserotrema puyei n. sp. infects gills of G. maculatus from Llanquihue Lake, Maullín River, and Maullín Estuary. This is the first species of Ancyrocephalinae described from gills of a galaxiid.     

Two new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) parasitizing Girardinichthys multiradiatus (Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae), an endemic freshwater fish from central Mexico

Gyrodactylus mexicanus n. sp. and Gyrodactylus lamothei n. sp. are described from the fins and skin of Girardinichthys multiradiatus, an endemic freshwater fish from central Mexico. Gyrodactylus mexicanus is compared to other Gyrodactylus species that parasitize Fundulus spp., the phylogenetically closest group to the Goodeidae from North America. Gyrodactylus mexicanus is distinguished by having large anchors with well-developed superficial roots, enlarged hooks with a proximally disrupted shank (ligament), and a ventral bar with 2 poorly developed anterolateral projections and a small medial process. Gyrodactylus lamothei is distinguished from G. mexicanus and from other species of Gyrodactylus on the North American continent by having anchors with a sclerite on the superficial root and robust hooks with a straight shaft and a recurved point.     

Neotropical monogenea. 13. Rhinonastes pseuodocapsaloideum n. gen., n. sp. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae), a nasal parasite of curimat?, Prochilodus nigricans Agassiz (Cypriniformes, Prochilodontidae), in Brazil

Rhinonastes pseudocapsaloideum n. sp. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) is described from the nasal cavity of Prochilodus nigricans Agassiz (Cypriniformes, Prochilodontidae) in Brazil. Rhinonastes n. gen. is proposed for species possessing a dextroventral genital pore, a bilobed testis, a ventral C-shaped ovary lying between the 2 testicular lobes, and a disc-shaped haptor armed with a ventral anchor-bar complex and 14 hooks.     

The description of Gyrodactylus mulli sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from the Black Sea blunt-snouted mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus

A new species Gyrodactylus mulli sp. n. is described from the thorax fins of blunt-snouted mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus by the collections of B. E. Bychowsky made in 1947 near Karadag on the Black Sea. Gyrodactylus mulli sp. n. differs from G. alviga Dmitrieva et Gerasev, 2000 (described from blunt-snouted mullet too) in having another morphotype of the marginal hooks. The new species differs from G. proterorhini Ergens, 1967, which has the identical type of the marginal hooks, in having longer membrane of the ventral connective bar, longer point of the anchors, shorter marginal hooks, and lesser size of the cirrus.     

Seasonal variations of opisthaptoral hard parts of Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) on parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in the River Batnfjordselva,Norway

Seasonal variations in size and shape of the marginal hooks, the anchors and the ventral bar of the opisthaptor of Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 were studied. The G. salaris specimens were collected from parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in the River Batnfjordselva, north-western Norway. Samples were taken at roughly monthly intervals during a two-year period. The marginal hooks, the anchors and the ventral bar showed considerable seasonal variation in size, but varied only slightly in shape. The variation in 12 of the 14 characters measured showed a significant regression to the variation in the water temperature. The total length of the marginal hooks of G. salaris can be considerably longer than the previously reported maximum of 40 m for the species.