Olencira praegustator (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) parasitic on Brevoortia species (Pisces, Clupeidae) from the southeastern coasts of North America: review and re-description

The cymothoid isopod Olencira praegustator (Latrobe, 1802), the sole species of the genus Olencira Leach, 1818, has been the subject of several previous studies, but has remained incompletely described. This species is re-described and figured from the Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe, 1802), the type host from the estuarine systems of the South Carolina coast, USA. The general morphology, mouthparts and appendages of the female, male and other stages of its lifecycle are described.

The geographical distribution and hosts recorded for O. praegustator are reviewed. Biological data are summarized and discussed. Areas that need additional studies include the infection process and the effect of the parasite on its host.