Microcotyle pacifica

Microcotyle pacifica is a species of monogenean, parasitic on the gills of a marine fish. It belongs to the family Microcotylidae. It was first described an illustrated based on 31 specimens from the gills of the blackbelly eelpout Lycodes pacificus (referred to as Lycodopus pacificus in the original description) off California. [1]

Microcotyle pacifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Monogenea
Order: Mazocraeidea
Family: Microcotylidae
Genus: Microcotyle
Species:
M. pacifica
Binomial name
Microcotyle pacifica
Crane, 1972

Description

Microcotyle pacifica has the general morphology of all species of Microcotyle, with a symmetrical lanceolat body, comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the haptor. The haptor is symmetrical, and bears 46-50 clamps, arranged as two rows, one on each side. The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the gill of the fish. There are also two buccal suckers oval, unarmed, and located at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a circular pharynx, a simple oesophagus and a posterior intestine bifurcates immediately posterior to genital atrium into two lateral branches provided with numerous secondary branches, both extends into the hohaptor, and are confluent. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. The reproductive organs include an anterior genital atrium, armed with numerous thorn-shaped spines, a medio-dorsal vagina opening approximately one fourth to one-fifth length of body from anterior end, a single tubular, irregularly looped ovary and 18-30 testes irregular in shape, closely packed and occupy the greatest part of the postovarian interintestinal field. [1]

Etymology

The species name is derived from the specific name of the type-host Lycodes pacificus. [1]

Hosts and localities

The type-host and only recorded host is the blackbelly eelpout Lycodes pacificus. The type and only reported locality is off California. [1]

References
  1. Crane, J. W. 1972. Systematics and new species of marine monogenea from California. Wasmann Journal of Biology 30:109-166


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.