Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) of Australian coastal fishes: new species of Opechona Looss, 1907, Lepotrema Ozaki, 1932 and Bianium Stunkard, 1930 and comments on other species reported for the first time or poorly known in Australian waters

Opechona austrobacillaris n. sp. is described from Pomatomus saltatrix from marine sites off Western Australia and New South Wales, Australia. It differs from O. bacillaris in its elongate outline, small ventral sucker, longer pseudoesophagus (relative to the oesophagus), relatively shorter ventral sucker to ovary distance and the relatively longer post-testicular region. Lepotrema monile n. sp. is described from Pomacentrus wardi from Heron Island, Queensland. It differs from its congeners in the sphincter around the distal metraterm and the more-or-less oval ovary. Bianium spongiosum n. sp. is described from Ostracion cubicus from Lizard Island, Queensland. It differs from its congeners in lacking lateral flaps in the forebody, but in having large, internal spongiform patches in the lateral forebody. The following species are redescribed from Australian sites: Lepocreadium oyabitcha from Abudefduf whitleyi, Lizard Island; Clavogalea trachinoti from Trachinotus botla, Heron Island and T. coppingeri, New South Wales, Stradbroke Island, Queensland and Heron Island; Myzoxenus insolens from Notolabrus parilus, Western Australia; Bulbocirrus aulostomi from Aulostomus chinensis, Heron Island; Lepocreadioides orientalis [new synonyms: Bicaudum interruptum Bilqees, 1973; Lepocreadioides interruptum (Bilqees, 1973) Madhavi, Narasimhulu & Shameem, 1986; Lepocreadioides discum Wang, 1986; Lepocreadioides sp. of Karyakarte & Yadav (1976)] from Cynoglossus bilineata, Moreton Bay, Queensland; Hypocreadium patellare from Sufflamen chrysopterus, Heron Island; Echeneidocoelium indicum from Echeneis naucrates, Heron Island; Multitestis pyriformis from Epinephelus cyanopodus, Heron Island; Pseudopisthogonoporus vitellosus from Naso brevirostris, Heron Island; and Bianium hispidum from Torquigener whitleyi and T. pleurogramma, southern Queensland. Only M. solens and M. pyriformis have been reported from Australian waters before; both are new host records.     

Two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neometadena</Emphasis> Hafeezullah &amp; Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from Moreton Bay,Australia, including the description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neometadena paucispina</Emphasis> n. sp. from Australian Lutjanidae

A survey of the trematode fauna of lutjanid fishes off the east coast of Queensland (QLD), Australia revealed the presence of two species of Neometadena Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae). Neometadena paucispina n. sp. is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål) and L. russellii (Bleeker) from Moreton Bay, in southeast QLD. Specimens of the type- and only other species, N. ovata (Yamaguti, 1952) Miller & Cribb, 2008, were recovered from L. carponotatus (Richardson), L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus (Forster), L. russellii, and L. vitta (Quoy & Gaimard) off Lizard Island, on the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Neometadena paucispina is distinguished from N. ovata in having fewer oral spines (55–65 vs 67–80). Alignment of novel molecular data for these two taxa revealed that they differ consistently by 13 nucleotides (1.5%) over the partial large subunit (LSU), 34 nucleotides (6.6%) over the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 0 nucleotides over the 5.8S, and 21 nucleotides (7.3%) over the ITS2 rDNA regions. Despite relatively large samples of L. carponotatus, L. fulviflamma and L. russellii from three distinct locations along the east coast of QLD (i.e. Moreton Bay in the south, Heron Island in central QLD and Lizard Island in northern QLD), these two species have been found at only one site each with neither species at Heron Island. These distributions are discussed in the context of the wide distribution of other cryptogonomid species in the same hosts elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific.     

Thesis abstracts

A Study of the Ethology and Reproductive Biology of the Labrid Fish, Labroides dimidiatus, at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef D. R. Robertson Regeneration of Native Plant Communities following Mineral Sand Mining P. J. R. Broese van Groenou A Local Synecology of a Marine System: Studies on a Demersal Fish Assemblage, Moreton Bay, Queensland R. H. Bradbury The Architecture and Photosynthesis of Tropical and Temperate Plant Communities O. Cartledge     

Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) from the batfish of the genus Platax Cuvier (Teleostei: Ephippidae) from the southern Great Barrier Reef,Queensland, Australia

The following species are described from Platax spp.: Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis n. sp., from P. teira, off Heron Island, Queensland, which can be distinguished from its congeners by the transversely elongate ventral sucker divided into three loculi and probably by testis number; Multitestis magnacetabulum Mamaev, 1970, from P. teira, off Heron Island, Queensland; Diploproctodaeum rutellum (Mamaev, 1970), from P. teira, off Heron Island, Queensland; Diploproctodaeum tsubameuo n. sp., from P. batavianus, from the Swain Reefs, off Queensland, which differs from its congeners in its overlapping, posteriorly attenuated testes and 38-55 ovarian lobes; and Diplocreadium sp., from P. batavianus, from the Swain Reefs, off Queensland.     

A new macradeninine,Zebrasomatrema pichelinae n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Lecithasteridae), from tangs (Perciformes: Acanthuridae) off the southern Great Barrier Reef,Queensland, Australia

A new genus, Zebrasomatrema, with the type-species Z. pichelinae n. sp., is described from Zebrasoma veliferum at Heron and Lizard Islands, Queensland, Australia, and Z. scopas, Acanthurus lineatus and A. triostegus at Heron Island. The new genus shares with Acanthurotrema an anterior flange, 14 subglobular vitelline lobes, a divided seminal vesicle and a long aglandular duct joining the seminal vesicle and the short pars prostatica, but differs in its quadripartite seminal vesicle, single vitelline field, lack of a sinus-sac and excretory arms which unite in the forebody. This report constitutes the first record of a macradeninine lecithasterid in Australian waters. A key to the Macradenininae is presented.     

Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905 and Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lepocreadioidea) of fishes from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia,with the erection of a new family and genus

Digeneans of the lepocreadioid families Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905 and Aephnidiogenidae Yamaguti, 1934 from Moreton Bay, off southern Queensland, Australia, are recorded, along with the erection of a new family, Gibsonivermidae. Molecular data were generated for all representatives of these families collected during this study and a phylogram for members of the superfamily was generated based on the partial 28S rDNA dataset, placing these species in context with those previously sequenced. This phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the monotypic Gibsonivermis Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997 is isolated from all other lepocreadioids and supports the erection of Gibsonivermidae n. fam., which is defined morphologically, based particularly on the uniquely elongated male terminal genitalia, the distribution of the uterus in the forebody and the presence of a uroproct. Mobahincia teirae n. g., n. sp. is reported from Platax teira (Forsskål) in Moreton Bay and off Heron Island and New Caledonia. Recognition of this new genus is based on molecular results and the combination of caeca abutting the posterior body wall and the lack of an anterior body scoop or flanges. The following lepocreadioid species are reported from Moreton Bay for the first time: Bianium arabicum Sey, 1996 in Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider), Diploproctodaeum cf. monstrosum Bray, Cribb & Justine, 2010 in Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus), Multitestis magnacetabulum Mamaev, 1970 and Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis Bray & Cribb, 2003 in Platax teira and Opechona austrobacillaris Bray & Cribb, 1998 in Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus). Bianium plicitum (Linton, 1928) is reported from Torquigener squamicauda (Ogilby) for the first time. Sequences of newly collected specimens of Austroholorchis sprenti (Gibson, 1987) indicate that the species forms a clade with other members of the Aephnidiogenidae, agreeing with its morphology. The phylogenetic status of all newly sequenced species is discussed.     

Two new species of threadlike blood flukes (Aporocotylidae), with a molecular revision of the genera Ankistromeces Nolan & Cribb, 2004 and Phthinomita Nolan & Cribb, 2006

Ankistromeces Nolan & Cribb, 2004 and Phthinomita Nolan & Cribb, 2006 are sister genera of threadlike blood flukes (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) infecting teleost fishes of the tropical Indo-west Pacific. Here, we report new collections of these genera from Australia, Indonesia, and Japan. A new species of Ankistromeces, Ankistromeces kawamurai n. sp., is described from Siganus spinus (Linnaeus) off Okinawa, Japan, and a new species of Phthinomita, Phthinomita abdita n. sp., from Choerodon cephalotes (Castelnau), in Moreton Bay, Australia; the new species are morphologically cryptic within their respective genera and are delineated by molecular and ecological data. Ankistromeces olsoni Nolan & Cribb, 2006 is reported from Siganus fuscescens (Houttuyn) off Heron Island (southern Great Barrier Reef), Lizard Island (northern Great Barrier Reef), and Okinawa and Wakayama Prefectures, Japan and from Siganus spinus (Linnaeus) from off Bali, Indonesia. Ankistromeces mariae Nolan & Cribb, 2004 is re-reported from the type-host, Meuschenia freycineti (Quoy & Gaimard), from a new location, Gypsy Bay, Tasmania. Phthinomita poulini Nolan & Cribb, 2006 is re-reported from its type-locality, Lizard Island, from a range of mullids, including five new host species, and its range is extended to include Moreton Bay. Phthinomita symplocos Nolan & Cribb, 2006 is reported from Bali and P. hallae Nolan & Cribb, 2006, P. jonesi Nolan & Cribb, 2006, P. littlewoodi Nolan & Cribb, 2006, and P. munozae Nolan & Cribb, 2006 are each re-reported from their type-host and type-localities. New cox1 mtDNA data were generated for all known species of these two genera from new and archival material. Analyses of these data enabled an evaluation of all known Phthinomita species; P. robertsthomsoni Nolan & Cribb, 2006 is synonymised with P. adlardi Nolan & Cribb, 2006, and P. brooksi Nolan & Cribb, 2006 is synonymised with P. sasali Nolan & Cribb, 2006. We highlight the failure of ITS2 data to delineate closely related aporocotylid species. In contrast, cox1 sequence data are proving reliable and effective in this context and we recommend their incorporation in future studies of blood fluke taxonomy.

     

Species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) from fishes of Australian and South Pacific waters,including five new species

Nine species of Stephanostomum are described from Australian and Southern Pacific marine fishes: Stephanostomum madhaviae n. sp. [syn. S. orientalis of Madhavi (1976)] from Caranx ignobilis, off Hope Island, Queensland, with 30-34 circum-oral spines and vitelline fields almost reaching to the posterior extremity of the cirrus-sac; S. bicoronatum (Stossich, 1883) from Argyrosomus hololepidotus, off Southport Broadwater, Queensland; S. votonimoli n. sp. from Scomberoides lysan, off Moorea, French Polynesia (type-locality) and Western Samoa, with 33-38 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields not reaching the cirrus-sac; S. nyoomwa n. sp. from Caranx sexfasciatus, off Heron Island, Queensland, with 33-38 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the cirrus-sac; S. cobia n. sp. from Rachycentron canadum, off Heron Island, with 36 circum-oral spines, a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the cirrus-sac; S. petimba Yamaguti, 1970 from Seriola hippos, off Rottnest Island, Western Australia; S. pacificum (Yamaguti, 1951) from Pseudocaranx wrighti, off Fremantle, Western Australia; S. aaravi n. sp. from Lethrinus miniatus, off Heron Island, with 36-39 circum-oral spines, probably a uroproct and the vitelline fields reaching the ventral sucker; S. pagrosomi (Yamaguti, 1939) from L. nebulosus, L. miniatus and L. atkinsoni off Heron Island, Pagrus auratus, off Rottnest Island, Western Australia and Gymnocranius audleyi, off Heron Island. A digest of described species of Stephanostomum is included as an appendix.     

Four species of Lepidapedoides Yamaguti, 1970 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from fishes of the southern Great Barrier Reef, with a tabulation of host-parasite data on the group

Four species of the genus Lepidapedoides Yamaguti, 1970 are described from Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They are: Lepidapedoides angustus n. sp. in Epinephelus fasciatus (type-host), E. cyanopodus, E. merra, E. quoyanus, E. ongus, Cephalopholis miniata and Diploprion bifasciatum; L. dollfusi (Durio & Manter, 1968) n. comb. [originally Neolepidapedon] in Epinephelus cyanopodus; L. ovale (Yamaguti, 1942) n. comb. [originally Pseudocreadium] in Caesio cuning and Pterocaesio marri; and L. parvulus n. sp. in Pterocaesio marri (type-host) and Caesio cuning. Host and distribution information on the species of the genus are tabulated according to morphological group. Mycterobonacinus Nasir & Gomez, 1977 is considered synonymous with Lepidapedoides, and M. magnifus is considered a synonym of L. nicolli.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacciger</Emphasis> Nicoll, 1914 (Trematoda: Faustulidae) in species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Herklotsichthys</Emphasis> Whitley (Clupeidae) from Queensland waters

Two new species of Bacciger Nicoll, 1914 (Faustulidae) are described infecting clupeids collected from the waters off Queensland, Australia; Bacciger minor n. sp. is described from Herklotsichthys castelnaui (Ogilby) in Moreton Bay, southern Queensland and Bacciger major n. sp. is described from Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus (Rüppell) collected off Lizard Island, on the northern Great Barrier Reef. The two species both differ from previously described species of Bacciger in the combination of their generally elongate bodies, an entire rather than deeply lobed ovary, vitelline follicles that reach to at least the intestinal bifurcation, instead of restricted to further posteriorly but principally distributed in the hindbody, and intestinal caeca extending posteriorly well past the ventral sucker. The two new species have non-overlapping size ranges and differ in their sucker ratios, the distribution of the vitelline follicles and in the shape of the cirrus-sac. ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequence data distinguish the two new species unambiguously. Phylogenetic analysis of available 28S data show they are most closely related to Pseudobacciger cheneyae Sun, Bray, Yong, Cutmore & Cribb, 2014, also recorded off Lizard Island. These are the first faustulids reported from species of Herklotsichthys Whitley, but overall members of the Clupeidae undoubtedly harbours the richest faustulid fauna of any fish family. Baccigeroides ovatus (Price, 1934) n. comb. is proposed for Bacciger ovatus (Price, 1934) Bray & Gibson, 1980 (syn. B. opisthonema Nahhas & Cable, 1964) based on the position of the genital pore being far anteriorly removed from the ventral sucker.     

Dendromonocotyle lasti n. sp. from the skin and Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Himantura sp. (Dasyatidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Seven specimens of rays of the genus Himantura which could not be identified to species were collected from waters near Dunwich, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The five smallest specimens of Himanturasp. (disc width 218-302 mm; four female, one male) had a banded tail and the dorsal surface was uniformly grey/brown. The two largest individuals of Himantura sp. (disc widths 460, 533 mm; female and male, respectively) also had a banded tail but the grey/brown dorsal surface had white spots. Two new monogenean species (Monocotylidae: Monocotylinae) are described from both the plain and white-spotted specimens of Himantura. Dendromonocotyle lastin. sp. is distinguished from other species in the genus by the number of papillae on the haptor, by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and by the morphology of the proximal portion of the vagina. The muscular sheath which surrounds the male copulatory organ is also unique having sclerotised spines at the distal end. Dendromonocotyle species are skin parasites, but a total of five juvenile specimens of D. lasti were found on the gills of four rays. Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. from the gills is characterised by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and its accessory piece. One specimen of M. spiremae Measures, Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1990, originally described from the gills of Himantura fai Jordan & Seale off Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, was also found on the gills of one Himantura specimen. The site and host-specificity of the parasites and the identity of the hosts are discussed.     

The status of the genera Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934, Neotheletrum Gibson & Bray, 1979 and Machidatrema León-Règagnon, 1998 (Digenea: Hemiuroidea), including a description of M. leonae n. sp. from Australian waters

A diagnosis is given for the lecithasterid genus Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934, which is now found to have two to six (possibly seven) vitelline masses. The species H. frontilatus (Manter, 1969) is returned to the genus, having been considered a member of the bunocotylid genus Neotheletrum by recent authors. It is redescribed from Siganus nebulosus, Moreton Bay, and S. doliatus, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, with emphasis on the presence of Juel's organ, a uterine seminal receptacle and the blind sac associated with the genital atrium. It differs from its congeners in the trajectory of the pars prostatica which recurves dorsally to the sinus-sac. Oligolecithoides Shen, 1982 is synonymised with Hysterolecithoides and O. trilobatus Shen, 1982 is synomised with H. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1934. Machidatrema León-Règagnon, 1998 is diagnosed, and found to be close to Hysterolecithoides, but differs in the lack of a blind-sac projecting from the dorsal genital atrium, by its tandem testes, the coiling of the uterus between the testes and the ovary, and the ventral excretory pore. M. leonae n. sp. is described from Siganus fuscescens, S. lineatus, S. doliatus, S. corallinus, S. vulpinus and Scarus globiceps at Heron Island, Queensland. It differs from its closest congener, M. akeh, in the muscular and tegumental flap over the genital pore and details of the terminal genitalia. M. chilostoma (Machida, 1980) and M. kyphosi (Yamaguti, 1970) are redescribed from Kyphosus vaigiensis from Heron Island. Neotheletrum Gibson & Bray, 1979 is diagnosed: it differs from Hysterolecithoides in its confluent excretory arms, blind seminal receptacle (no Juel's organ) and uniformly tripartite vitellarium. A cladistic analysis suggests that M. chilostoma and M. kyphosi are not best accommodated in Machidatrema, that Machidatrema (sensu stricto) is monophyletic and that Hysterolecithoides is paraphyletic. Hysterolecithoides and Machidatrema are considered hysterolecithine lecithasterids, whilst Neotheletrum is retained as an opisthadenine bunocotylid.     

Palaearctic species of the genus Confluaria Ablasov (Cestoda,Hymenolepididae): a redescription and synonymy of C. capillaris (Rudolphi, 1810)

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

A review of the Tandanicolinae (=Monodhelminthinae) (Digenea: Fellodistomidae), with a description of Prosogonarium angelae n. sp.

The Tandanicolinae is reviewed, redefined and considered a subfamily of the Fellodistomidae. The Monodhelminthinae Dollfus, 1937, Mehratrematinae Srivastava, 1939, Prosogonariinae Mehra, 1963 and Buckleytrematinae Yamaguti, 1971 are synonyms of the Tandanicolinae. Genera included in the Tandanicolinae are Tandanicola, Monodhelmis, Buckleytrema and Prosogonarium. Burnellus and Mehratrema are made new synonyms of Monodhelmis. The composition of each genus is reviewed. Monodhelmis arii Yamaguti, 1952, Mehratrema arii Gu & Shen, 1979, Mehratrema dollfusi Srivastava, 1939, Monodhelmis philippinensis Velasquez, 1961, Mehratrema polynemusinis Chauhan, 1943 and Mehratrema skrjabini Karyakarte, 1969 are considered synonyms of Monodhelmis torpedinis. Monodhelmis elongatus Bilqees, 1970 is considered a species inquirenda. Prosogonarium angelae n. sp. is described from Euristhmus lepturus from Moreton Bay, Queensland. It is distinguished by the number and distribution of the vitelline follicles and the extent of the caeca. New records are given for Monodhelmis torpedinis from Arius graeffei and E. lepturus, M. trichofurcata from Tandanus tandanus, and Buckleytrema indica from A. graeffei, all from southern Queensland. Buckleytrema indica is redescribed and B. postacetabulorchis is synonymised with that species. Relationships within the Tandanicolinae were considered by cladistic analysis.     

Three new Indo-Australian species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca,with a reevaluation of generic limit

Three new species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca are described:A. kyushini from off Borneo, differs from all known congeners in having no swimbladder appendages enveloplng the bladder, no forward directed branches from the ventral limbs of the appendages, a long tube-like last appendage parallel to the bladder wall and a pale mouth lining;A. brevis from off northern Australia and Papua New Guinea, is distinguished by its short pectoral fin (less than 23% SL) and pleural rib on the 11th vertebra;A. adusta from Papua New Guinea, is distinctive in having a low dorsal soft ray number (23–24) and long caudal peduncle (27–30% SL).Atrobucca Chu, Lo et Wu is redefined to accommodate the new species: the genus is principally characterized by the swimbladder appendages divided into developed dorsal and ventral limbs, and the only slightly curved sulcus tail of the sagitta. A key and diagnoses are provided for all known species ofAtrobucca.     

Benedenia rohdei n. sp. (Monogenea: Capsalidae) from the gills of Lutjanus carponotatus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) from the Great Barrier Reef,Queensland, Australia,with a description of the oncomiracidium

A benedeniine monogenean, Benedenia rohdei n. sp., is reported from the gills of the stripey Lutjanus carponotatus (Richardson, 1842) (Lutjanidae) from Heron Island and Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia. The oncomiracidium of the new species is also illustrated. B. rohdei n. sp. differs from all known species of the genus in the possession of a sclerite at the tip of the penis. Examination of type-specimens of B. jaliscana Bravo-Hollis, 1952 has shown that the three penis ‘hooks’ described by Bravo-Hollis are unsclerotised conical papillae.     

Actinosporeans (Myxozoa) from marine oligochaetes of the Great Barrier Reef

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

Paraplagusia longirostris,a new flatfish (Cynoglossidae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea

A new species of tongue sole,Paraplagusia longirostris, is described from 59 specimens (83.0– 276.2 mm SL) collected off the northern coast of Australia and southern coast of Papua New Guinea.P. longirostris is easily distinguishable from otherParaplagusia by its long, obtusely pointed snout and its high counts for dorsal and anal fin rays, caudal vertebrae and mid-lateral line scales.     

The Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) of pomacentrid fishes (Perciformes) from Heron Island,Queensland, Australia

The following lepocreadiid species are described from pomacentrid fishes from the Southern Great Barrier Reef at Heron Island, Queensland: Lepocreadium adlardi n. sp. from Abudefduf bengalensis; L. clavatum from Acanthochromis polyacanthus and Parma polylepis; Lepocreadium sp. from Amblyglyphidodon curacao; Lepocreadium sp. from Pomacentrus cf. wardi; Preptetos xesuri (new synonyms: P. caballeroi, P. pritchardae Toman, 1989 nec Ahmad, 1984) from Parma polylepis plus the acanthurid Naso annulatus; and P. cannoni from Pomacentrus bankanensis.     

Taxonomy, host specificity and dietary implications of Hurleytrematoides (Digenea: Monorchiidae) from chaetodontid fishes on the Great Barrier Reef

Five new and five previously described species of Hurleytrematoides are reported from 19 of 34 chaetodontid species examined from the Great Barrier Reef; new species are H. faliexae n. sp., H. galzini n. sp., H. loi n. sp., H. morandi n. sp., and H. sasali n. sp. Previously described species are H. coronatum, H. fijiensis, H. prevoti, H. bartolii, and H. zebrasomae. The genus is rediagnosed in the light of morphological variation of the new species; the degree of spination and shape of the terminal genitalia distinguish individual species. Species of Hurleytrematoides infect almost every clade of the family Chaetodontidae found on the Great Barrier Reef, but obligate corallivores are not infected. All ten species were found at Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, but only six at Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. For three of the four species not present at Lizard Island, the absence appears to be statistically significant. Although all species are apparently restricted to chaetodontids on the GBR, specificity within the family varies from oioxenous to euryxenous; a core/satellite host paradigm explains the distribution of several species.