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Two tilapia species, Oreochromis aureus and Oreochromis niloticus, were introduced into Morocco in 2004 for fish farming. O. niloticus was subsequently introduced into the wild in several watersheds. During a fish survey at six locations, we observed other specimens of tilapia that appear to be more related to O. aureus. Partial sequences of COI and S7 genes and geometric morphometrics were used to assess the specific status of all the specimens. Out of 1691 specimens sampled, 159 COI and 153 S7 partial sequences were obtained and confirmed the presence of both species. O. aureus was present in part of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region (the Nador Channel (NC), Al Kansra dam (AK) and Oued Sebou (OS)) while O. niloticus was found in the fish farm (AS), in the province of Rabat (Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah dam (BA)) and the region of Casablanca-Settat (Al Massira dam (AM)). A few hybrids were identified at AS and OS. Body shapes and sizes were assessed using geometric morphometrics with 18 landmarks and were found to differ significantly between O. aureus and O. niloticus. Both species exhibited significantly different allometric changes during their growth, but kept their morphological signature independently of their specific allometric changes during growth. Specimens from riverine environments (OS, NC) had a similar shape with an elongated body with a large head and eye, while individuals found in lacustrine environments (AK, AM and BM) had a larger body depth, small head and eye. Morphometrics also suggested that hybrids or sympatry could occur to a small extent in AS, OS and NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 is native to the western Atlantic. The present work reviews the spread of C. sapidus in the European Atlantic, the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and identifies its first occurrence in the Merja Zerga and Khnifiss lagoons on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. These first and southernmost records on the African Atlantic widen the current biogeographic distribution of the species worldwide. Genetic analysis of specimens from both the Mediterranean (Marchica lagoon) and Atlantic (Merja Zerga and Khnifiss lagoons) coasts of Morocco, based on COI (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I), confirmed the species sequences as being those of Callinectes sapidus. Moroccan populations have low haplotypic diversity with only two haplotypes (haplotype 1 and haplotype 7). These two haplotypes correspond to the two different haplotypes already found in the Mediterranean. Haplotype 1 from Merja Zerga, Marchica and Khnifiss lagoons was 100% identical to the sequences ON248058 in GenBank, while haplotype 7 from the Marchica and Merja Zerga lagoons was 100% identical to the sequences ON248059. Very likely, the origin and pathway of colonisation of the populations established in the three Moroccan lagoons is the result of the expansion of the species along the Mediterranean Sea and now the Atlantic coast of Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, no work has been carried out on parasitic monogeneans of cichlid fish as far. An examination of the gills of 375 fish from three native species of Cichlidae: Oreochromis aureus, Coptodon zillii and Coptodon guineensis from different localities, revealed the presence of two monogenean species (1328 monogenean specimens were recovered from 56 fish specimens) belonging to the family Dactylogyridae and to the genus Cichlidogyrus: three morphotypes of C. cirratus were identified from O. aureus and C. zillii; and C. cubitus was identified from C. guineensis. This is the first time that these monogeneans were collected and identified in Morocco. In addition, O. aureus was revealed as a new host for C. cirratus. The low parasite species richness and intensity, appear to support the enemy release hypothesis, and have probably promoted the lateral transfer of parasites in natural populations between O. aureus and C. zillii, and the synxenic diversification of C. cirratus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Monogenean flatworms are mainly parasitic in lower aquatic vertebrates including fish, anurans and chelonians. Gyrodactylus is one of the 23 genera of Gyrodactylidae. With only 41 species described, the total number of Gyrodactylus species described from African freshwater fish still remains low. The known species represent only a fraction of the expected species richness of Gyrodactylus in Africa. In this study, we examined the gills of 738 cyprinid specimens. We isolated 26 individuals belonging to Gyrodactylus from these hosts. Twelve of these from two host species were morphologically characterized and proposed to belong to one single newly described species. In view of the importance of the cyprinid–monogenean system in studying the aquatic biodiversity and biogeography of North Africa, the present study is a substantial contribution to the parasite species inventory of these fishes. To date, 41 species of Gyrodactylus have been described from Africa. However, none of these have been reported in Morocco. After identifying and examining 738 cyprinid host specimens, 26 specimens belonging to Gyrodactylus were found to parasitize the gills of nine species of Luciobarbus, Carasobarbus, and Pterocapoeta. The current study provides new information about the presence of a new parasitic species in Morocco, the first to be characterized on a species level in the Maghreb region. It describes in detail 12 specimens of Gyrodactylus isolated from the gills of Luciobarbus pallaryi (Pellegrin, 1919) and Luciobarbus ksibi (Boulenger, 1905). Based on morphoanatomical observations, the characterization of the specimens collected indicates a species of Gyrodactylus that is new to science, described here as Gyrodactylus nyingiae n. sp. The new species is different from previously described gyrodactylids infecting African cyprinid hosts because it has a longer hamulus total length, a longer hamulus root, a downward projecting toe of the marginal hook, and a trapezium-shaped ventral bar membrane with a slightly striated median portion and small rounded anterolateral processes. This study increases the total number of Gyrodactylus spp. found in African cyprinids to four. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 80 years, tilapia have been translocated globally for aquaculture; active production is recorded in >124 countries. Of 7 million tonnes of tilapia produced in aquaculture, 79% is from 79 countries outside the natural range of tilapia. Capture fisheries account for a further 723,627 tonnes of tilapia, and >47% of this is landed from established invasive populations outside Africa. Tilapias host a rich fauna of parasites, many of which have been translocated with their hosts. This review summarises >2500 host–parasite records from 73+ countries and >820 recorded tilapia translocations (provided in the supplementary materials). This work focuses on the notable pathogens that threaten the health of cultured populations of tilapia, providing a description of their pathology and includes species that also have substantial impacts on wild tilapia populations, where relevant. For each major parasite taxonomic group, we highlight which parasites have been translocated or have been acquired from the new environments into which tilapia have been introduced, together with remarks on standard treatment approaches and research on them and their management and control. Regarding the theme 'Tilapia health: quo vadis?', Africa has enormous potential for aquaculture growth, but substantial knowledge gaps about tilapia parasites in many African states remain, which creates associated production and biosecurity risks. For each parasitic group, therefore, the risks of parasite translocation to new regions as tilapia aquaculture industries expand are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monogenean parasites have never been formally reported on fishes from the Lufira River Basin. In this context, we decided to record the monogenean parasite fauna of three cichlid species found in the Upper Lufira River Basin for the first time by inventorizing their diversity (species composition) and analysing their infection parameters (prevalence, mean intensity and abundance). Methods: The African cichlid fishes Oreochromis mweruensis, Coptodon rendalli and Serranochromis macrocephalus were selected for the study, given their economic value and their abundance in the Upper Lufira River Basin. Monogeneans were isolated from the gills and stomach, mounted on glass slides with either Hoyer's medium or ammonium picrate-glycerin for identification under a stereomicroscope, based on morphological analysis of genital and haptoral hard parts. Indices of diversity and infections parameters were calculated. Results: A total of 13 gill monogenean parasite species (Cichlidogyrus dossoui, C. halli, C. karibae, C. mbirizei, C. papernastrema, C. quaestio, C. sclerosus, C. tiberianus, C. tilapiae, C. zambezensis, Scutogyrus gravivaginus, S. cf. bailloni and Gyrodactylus nyanzae) and one stomach monogenean (Enterogyrus malmbergi) were identified. A species richness (S) of 10 for O. mweruensis, S = 6 for C. rendalli and S = 2 for S. macrocephalus was recorded. Five parasite species were reported to be common amongst O. mweruensis and C. rendalli. According to cichlid species, the most prevalent parasite species was C. halli (prevalence [P] = 80.9%) on O. mweruensis, C. dossoui (P = 92.9%) on C. rendalli and C. karibae and C. zambezensis (both P = 9.1%) on S. macrocephalus. The parasite species with the highest mean intensity (MI) were G. nyanzae (MI = 8.7) on O. mweruensis, C. papernastrema (MI = 17.1) on C. rendalli and C. karibae (MI = 15) on S. macrocephalus. The findings indicate new host ranges for five parasites species (C. quaestio, S. cf. bailloni, E. malmbergi on O. mweruensis, C. halli on C. rendalli and C. karibae on S. macrocephalus) as well as new geographical records for all of them as they are recorded for the first time in the Lufira River Basin. Conclusions: This study highlighted the richness of monogenean communities in the Upper Lufira River Basin and is a starting point for future helminthological studies, such as on the use of fish parasites as indicators of anthropogenic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ichthyofauna of Lake Tanganyika consists of 12 families of fish of which five belong to Siluriformes (catfishes). Studies on Siluriformes and their parasites in this lake are very fragmentary. The present study was carried out to help fill the knowledge gap on the monogeneans infesting the siluriform fishes of Lake Tanganyika in general and, more particularly, Clarias gariepinus. Samples of gills of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) were examined for ectoparasites. We identified the monogenean Gyrodactylus transvaalensis (Gyrodactylidae). This is the first time this parasite was found infecting gills. We are the first to observe a large spine in the male copulatory organ of this species and to provide measurements of its genital spines; this completes the description of the male copulatory organ, which is important in standard monogenean identification. This is the first monogenean species reported in C. gariepinus at Lake Tanganyika and the third known species on a representative of Siluriformes of this lake. It brings the total number of species of Gyrodactylus recorded in Lake Tanganyika to four. Knowing that other locations where this species has been reported are geographically remote from Lake Tanganyika, we propose a "failure to diverge" phenomenon for G. transvaalensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nile tilapia, one of the most popular aquaculture species worldwide, has been introduced into the Congo Basin several times for aquaculture purposes. Previous studies based on morphological features showed that some of the monogenean gill parasites were co-introduced with Nile tilapia and some spilled over to native Congolese cichlids. In this study, we genetically investigated the co-introduced monogeneans of Nile tilapia from three major parts of the Congo Basin: Upper, Middle and Lower Congo. We sequenced 214 specimens belonging to 16 species of Monogenea, collected from native and introduced tilapia species from Congo, Madagascar and Burundi. We evaluate their position in a phylogeny including 38 monogenean species in total. Our results confirm the co-introductions in the Congo Basin and suggest one unreported parasite transmission from introduced Nile tilapia to native Mweru tilapia in Upper Congo, which was undetectable with a morphological study alone. Shared parasite COI haplotypes between Madagascar and the Congo Basin illustrate how anthropogenic introduction events homogenize parasite communities across large geographical distances and thereby disrupt isolation by distance patterns. Contrary to our expectation, the parasite populations co-introduced in the Congo Basin reveal a high COI diversity, probably resulting from multiple Nile tilapia introductions from different geographic origins. Additionally, we tested the barcoding gap and the performance of mitochondrial COI and nuclear ribosomal ITS-1, 28S and 18S markers. We found a significant barcoding gap of 15% for COI, but none for the other markers. Our molecular results reveal that Cichlidogyrus halli, C. papernastrema, C. tiberianus, C. cirratus and C. zambezensis are in need of taxonomic revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intense anthropization of the Sanaga basin requires an acceleration of research on biodiversity and the conservation of its aquatic resources. In this framework, the ichthyofauna of the Mpem and Djim National Park (MpDNP) has been inventoried for the first time. The fish were sampled from 2017 to 2021 using diverse experimental fishing gears. A total of 79 species classified into 39 genera, 14 families, and 8 orders have been identified in the MpDNP. This ichthyofauna represents 46.7% of the 169 freshwater fish species known in the Sanaga basin. It contains 15 (62.5%) of the 24 endemic species reported in this basin, among them two Endangered and three Vulnerable species known on the IUCN Red List. Furthermore, two non-indigenous species have been inventoried. Siluriformes (36%) and Characiformes (22%) are the most represented in the MpDNP. It is suggested that the issues for conservation in this park must be focused as a priority on 15 endemic species, which may be ranged into two national protection classes A (5) and B (10), then on those in class C, which will be identified posteriorly as supplementary priorities for the offset of the residual impacts of the Nachtigal upstream hydropower plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish diversity of the Adamawa lakes is among the most undocumented in Northern Cameroon. Faced with this lack of knowledge, an inventory of ichthyofauna and habitats characterization was conducted in nine lakes. Seven lakes (Assom, Gegouba, Massote, Mbalang, Ngaoundaba, Piou and Tizong) are located in the Sanaga Basin and two (Bini and Dang) are located in the Lake Chad Basin. In order to assess the composition and variation in fish assemblage, eight sampling campaigns were carried out seasonally between 2017 and 2018; they revealed 26 species of fish distributed in 6 orders, 9 families and 16 genera. Communities in Lakes Assom (13 species) and Bini (9 species) were the most diverse. Omnivorous (42.3%) and spawners in open water or on substrates of sand, gravel, rock or plants (69.2%) were the most represented. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling, analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), and similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) revealed that fish species composition differed significantly among lakes. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified temperature, pH, TDS, and conductivity as variables explaining the most variation in fish species. The presence of four endemic species in the Sanaga Basin in lakes Assom, Gegouba, Massote and Piou, shows that these lakes stand out as hotspots for conservation due to the uniqueness of their ichthyofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species‐rich ecological communities emerge from adaptive radiation events. Yet the effects of adaptive radiation on community assembly remain poorly understood. Here, we explore the well‐documented radiations of African cichlid fishes and their interactions with the flatworm gill parasites Cichlidogyrus spp., including 10,529 reported infections and 477 different host–parasite combinations collected through a survey of peer‐reviewed literature. We assess how evolutionary, ecological, and morphological parameters determine host–parasite meta‐communities affected by adaptive radiation events through network metrics, host repertoire measures, and network link prediction. The hosts' evolutionary history mostly determined host repertoires of the parasites. Ecological and evolutionary parameters predicted host–parasite interactions. Generally, ecological opportunity and fitting have shaped cichlid‐Cichlidogyrus meta‐communities suggesting an invasive potential for hosts used in aquaculture. Meta‐communities affected by adaptive radiations are increasingly specialised with higher environmental stability. These trends should be verified across other systems to infer generalities in the evolution of species‐rich host–parasite networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial portion of biodiversity has evolved through adaptive radiation. However, the effects of explosive speciation on species interactions remain poorly understood. Metazoan parasites infecting radiating host lineages could improve our knowledge because of their intimate host relationships. Yet limited molecular, phenotypic and ecological data discourage multivariate analyses of evolutionary patterns and encourage the use of discrete characters. Here, we assemble new molecular, morphological and host range data widely inferred from a species‐rich lineage of parasites (Cichlidogyrus, Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) infecting cichlid fishes to address data scarcity. We infer a multimarker (28S/18S rDNA, ITS1, COI mtDNA) phylogeny of 58 of 137 species and characterize major lineages through synapomorphies inferred from mapping morphological characters. We predict the phylogenetic position of species without DNA data through shared character states, a morphological phylogenetic analysis, and a classification analysis with support vector machines. Based on these predictions and a cluster analysis, we assess the systematic informativeness of continuous characters, search for continuous equivalents for discrete characters, and suggest new characters for morphological traits not analysed to date. We also model the attachment/reproductive organ and host range evolution using the data for 136 of 137 described species and multivariate phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs). We show that discrete characters not only can mask phylogenetic signals, but also are key for characterizing species groups. Regarding the attachment organ morphology, a divergent evolutionary regime for at least one lineage was detected and a limited morphological variation indicates host and environmental parameters affecting its evolution. However, moderate success in predicting phylogenetic positions, and a low systematic informativeness and high multicollinearity of morphological characters call for a revaluation of characters included in species characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the monogeneans gill parasites of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Siluriformes, Clariidae) fish of economic interest in the Bagoue River. Methods: Fifty-five specimens of H. bidorsalis were caught with gillnets in the Bagoué River from August 2018 to January 2019. The monogeneans were individually isolated from the gill and transferred directly onto a slide in a drop of glycerin ammonium picrate mixture (GAP). Results: The new species differ from the previously described Quadriacanthus spp. mainly by the morphology of their sclerotised vagina: Quadriacanthus tanoyaoi sp. nov having a V-shaped, widely open vagina with a central protuberance, and Quadriacanthus bidorsalisi sp. nov having a pear-shaped vagina, composed of a tubular part with a ring near the aperture and a swollen portion. Q. tanoyaoi sp. nov and Q. bidorsalisi sp. nov are different in the shape of the dorsal and ventral anchors (more sturdy for Q. tanoyaoi), of the dorsal and ventral cuneus (triangular vs Y-shaped, respectively), and that of the vagina (V-shaped, widely open with a central protuberance vs pear-shaped, respectively). Conclusion: To date, only Quadriacanthus mandibulatus Francová & Řehulková, 2017 were recognised parasitizing from H. bidorsalis from the Nile River Basin (Sudan) and Lake Turkana (Kenya). The present study with the description of 2 new species expands the number to 3 species of monogeneans for this fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the study of Siluriform fish monogeneans of Lake Tanganyika, we described two new species of Bagrobdella Paperna, 1969 from Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840). Bagrobdella vanhovei sp. nov. is characterized by the morphology of its MCO which is unique among its congeners, presenting a non-terminal opening, whereas the other species have a terminal opening, and Bagrobdella vansteenbergei sp. nov. characterized by the size of its hooks, which are almost all of the same size, and its male copulating organ with a unique shape: a sub-terminal opening and no membrane surrounding. The Multivariate analysis done on morphometrical characters shows that the new and already described species are well individualized, except for Bagrobdella parauchenoglanii Akoumba, Pariselle, Tombi & Bilong Bilong, 2017 and Bagrobdella fraudulenta Euzet & Le Brun, 1990 (but these two species are easily distinguishable by their morphology), and that B. vanhovei sp. nov. has a great intra-specific morphometrical variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Species interactions are a key aspect of evolutionary biology. Parasites, specifically, are drivers of the evolution of species communities and impact biosecurity and public health. However, when using interaction networks for evolutionary studies, interdependencies between distantly related species in these networks are shaped by ancient and complex processes. We propose using recent interacting host–parasite radiations, e.g. African cichlid fishes and cichlid gill parasites belonging to Cichlidogyrus (Dactylogyridae, Monogenea), as macroevolutionary model of species interactions. The cichlid–Cichlidogyrus network encompasses 138 parasite species and 416 interactions identified through morphological characteristics and genetic markers in 160 publications. We discuss the steps required to develop this model system based on data resolution, sampling bias, and reporting quality. In addition, we propose the following steps to guide efforts for a macroevolutionary model system for species interactions: first, evaluating and expanding model system outcome measures to increase data resolution; second, closing knowledge gaps to address underreporting and sampling bias arising from limited human and financial resources. Identifying phylogenetic and geographic targets, creating systematic overviews, enhancing scientific collaborations, and avoiding data loss through awareness of predatory journal publications can accelerate this process; and third, standardising data reporting to increase reporting quality and to facilitate data accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The group of large five-spotted Hemichromis species from West Africa and Lower Guinea was revised using an integrative approach combining morphometry (measurements, meristics and colour patterns) and genetics (cytochrome b gene). Specimens from 100 populations were sorted into three main groups on the basis of morphological criteria. Samples from Lake Bosumtwi clustered together with others from West Africa in a large well-supported clade (bootstrap values and posterior probabilities: 98/96/100), both in morphometric and genetic analyses, raising again the hypothesis of synonymy of H. frempongi with H. fasciatus. Samples from southern Lower Guinea, including the type locality (Gabon) of H. elongatus, constituted a second weakly resolved cluster (64/38/51), resulting from a potential admixture of populations of diverse origins which share common morphological traits. Populations from northern Lower Guinea (Atlantic coastal basins) and the upper Chad basin in Cameroon formed a third strongly supported clade (99/100/100), which corresponds to a new species, Hemichromis camerounensis sp. nov., herein described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyprinid fishes are known to harbour highly host-specific gill-associated parasites of Dactylogyrus. High similarity in the morphology of sclerotized structures among Dactylogyrus species, especially those parasitizing congeneric cyprinoids, makes their identification difficult. In this paper, four previously known species of Dactylogyrus are characterized and illustrated under a reliable taxonomic framework integrating morphological and molecular evidence, and their phylogenetic relationships are investigated using molecular data. The species are as follows: D. borjensis from Luciobarbus zayanensis; D. draaensis from Luciobarbus lepineyi; D. ksibii from Luciobarbus ksibi and Luciobarbus rabatensis; and D. marocanus from Carasobarbus fritschii, L. ksibi, L. zaya-nensis and Pterocapoeta maroccana. Our results revealed intraspecific genetic variability among specimens of D. ksibii collected from two different hosts and geographically distant basins. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that Dactylogyrus spp. parasitizing Moroccan cyprinids are representatives of three main lineages corresponding to morphological differences and host specificity. Our records of D. marocanus on L. zayanensis and P. maroccana increase the range of available host species i.e., eight species of four cyprinid genera representing two phylogenetic lineages (i.e., Barbinae and Torinae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasites may have strong eco‐evolutionary interactions with their hosts. Consequently, they may contribute to host diversification. The radiation of cichlid fish in Lake Victoria provides a good model to study the role of parasites in the early stages of speciation. We investigated patterns of macroparasite infection in a community of 17 sympatric cichlids from a recent radiation and 2 older species from 2 nonradiating lineages, to explore the opportunity for parasite‐mediated speciation. Host species had different parasite infection profiles, which were only partially explained by ecological factors (diet, water depth). This may indicate that differences in infection are not simply the result of differences in exposure, but that hosts evolved species‐specific resistance, consistent with parasite‐mediated divergent selection. Infection was similar between sampling years, indicating that the direction of parasite‐mediated selection is stable through time. We morphologically identified 6 Cichlidogyrus species, a gill parasite that is considered a good candidate for driving parasite‐mediated speciation, because it is host species‐specific and has radiated elsewhere in Africa. Species composition of Cichlidogyrus infection was similar among the most closely related host species (members of the Lake Victoria radiation), but two more distantly related species (belonging to nonradiating sister lineages) showed distinct infection profiles. This is inconsistent with a role for Cichlidogyrus in the early stages of divergence. To conclude, we find significant interspecific variation in parasite infection profiles, which is temporally consistent. We found no evidence that Cichlidogyrus‐mediated selection contributes to the early stages of speciation. Instead, our findings indicate that species differences in infection accumulate after speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monogenea van Beneden, 1858 is a group of parasitic flatworms, commonly found infecting bony fish. Several genera, such as Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960, are reported to include potential pathogenic species that can negatively impact aquaculture fish stocks. They can switch from introduced to native fish and vice versa. In Africa (and all over the world), fish species belonging to Cichlidae are often kept in aquaculture and represent a major source of food. Thus, research on the biodiversity and occurrence of monogenean species on these fish is of importance for aquaculture and conservation. The present study is a survey of the diversity of species of Cichlidogyrus in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on three cichlid species: Orthochromis sp. 'Lomami', Serranochromis cf. macrocephalus, and Tilapia sparrmanii Smith, 1840. Methods: Specimens of Cichlidogyrus were isolated from the gills and mounted on glass slides with Hoyer's medium. The genital and haptoral hard parts were measured and drawn using interference contrast. Results: In total, six species of Cichlidogyrus were found, all new to science: C. bulbophallus n. sp. and C. pseudozambezensis n. sp. on S. cf. macrocephalus, C. flagellum n. sp. and C. lobus n. sp. on T. sparrmanii, C. ranula n. sp. on S. cf. macrocephalus and Orthochromis sp. 'Lomami', and C. maeander n. sp. found on Orthochromis sp. 'Lomami' and T. sparrmanii. The first four species are considered to be strict specialists, C. ranula n. sp. an intermediate generalist and C. maeander n. sp. a generalist. These parasite species show morphological similarities to species found in the Lower Guinea and Zambezi ichthyofaunal provinces, which might be explained by past river capture events between river systems of the Congo Province and both these regions. Conclusions: Serranochromis cf. macrocephalus and Orthochromis sp. 'Lomami' can harbour respectively three and two species of Cichlidogyrus, all described in this study. Tilapia sparrmanii can harbour seven species, of which three are described in the present study. These results highlight the species diversity of this parasite genus in the Congo Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on Cichlidogyrus sp. (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) specimens from Hemichromis sp. hosts, we tested the influence of different methods to fix/preserve samples/specimens [frozen material, alcohol or formalin preserved, museum process for fish preservation (fixed in formalin and preserved in alcohol)] and different media used to mount the slides [tap water, glycerin ammonium picrate (GAP), Hoyer's one (HM)] on the size/shape of sclerotized parts of monogenean specimens. The results show that the use of HM significantly increases the size of haptoral sclerites [marginal hooks I, II, IV, V, and VI; dorsal bar length, width, distance between auricles and auricle length, ventral bar length and width], and changes their shape [angle opening between shaft and guard (outer and inner roots) in both ventral and dorsal anchors, ventral bar much wider, dorsal one less curved]. This influence seems to be reduced when specimens/samples are fixed in formalin. The systematics of Monogenea being based on the size and shape of their sclerotized parts, to prevent misidentifications or description of invalid new species, we recommend the use of GAP as mounting medium; Hoyer's one should be restricted to monogenean specimens fixed for a long time which are more shrunken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 are described from the gills of three species of Luciobarbus Heckel collected from various hydrographical basins in northern Morocco: Dactylogyrus scorpius n. sp. from Luciobarbus rifensis Doadrio, Casal-Lopez & Yahyaoui; D. benhoussai n. sp. from L. moulouyensis Pellegrin; and D. varius n. sp. and D. falsiphallus n. sp. from L. maghrebensis Doadrio, Perea & Yahyaoui. The descriptions of the new species are confirmed by molecular data (partial 18S rDNA, ITS1, and partial 28S rDNA sequences). All four species belong to the group of Dactylogyrus species, possessing a cross-shaped ventral bar and a male copulatory organ composed of a loosely coiled copulatory tube and an accessory piece with a capsule-like base and recurved distal portion. Given the high shape variability of the haptoral anchors reported among specimens of D. varius n. sp., three morphological forms within this species ( D. varius f. vulgaris, D. varius f. magnus, and D. varius f. dromedarius) are recognised. However, specimens belonging to D. benhoussai n. sp. and D. varius f. vulgaris were morphologically very similar and were discriminated with certainty, only when using molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the recent evolution of a rich parasite community associated with one of the world's most invasive species, the cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Populations from the species' native range (Mozambique) are compared to a population from New Caledonia (Wester Pacific), an island where the species was introduced in 1954. The results support the complete local extinction of the gill parasite community in the course of the invasion process. Up to six gill parasite species per locality were documented in the O. mossambicus native range, and previous surveys consistently reported at least one parasite species introduced along African cichlid species established out of Africa. The absence of parasites in New Caledonia is therefore exceptional. This can be attributed to local factors, such as a strong initial population bottleneck, the likely absence of multiple host introductions, and the frequent occurrence of brackish watersheds that might enhance the probability for natural deparasitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clariidae is a group that includes many species that have great economic importance in both fisheries and fish culture. Monogenean parasites of fishes assigned to this family have been studied in Cameroon, but there have been no studies on Clarias submarginatus Peter, 1882, a fish that is traditionally consumed by the local people. The examination of 43 specimens identified as C. submarginatus from Lake Ossa (first record of this fish species in the Sanaga basin), revealed that some of them belong to Quadriacanthus and are new. Their identification was made based on the morphology and the size of sclerotized parts of the haptor and the male and female copulatory complexes. Quadriacanthus macruncus Bahanak, Nack & Pariselle sp. nov. and Quadriacanthus submarginati Bahanak, Nack & Pariselle sp. nov. are characterized by the morphology of their accessory piece, pointed, slightly curved and wider at medium level, equipped with two subterminal, symmetrical and similar spines for Q. macruncus sp. nov. and made up of one long tip flanked by a short spine and a bulb for Q. submarginati sp. nov., while Quadriacanthus ossaensis Bahanak, Nack & Pariselle sp. nov. is distinguished by the unique morphology of the penis, ending in a fork. The new species of Quadriacanthus are herein described and their host specificity is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasite switches to new host species are of fundamental scientific interest and may be considered an important speciation mechanism. For numerous monogenean fish parasites, infecting different hosts is associated with morphological adaptations, in particular of the attachment organ (haptor). However, haptoral morphology in Cichlidogyrus spp. (Monogenea, Dactylogyridea), parasites of African cichlids, has been mainly linked to phylogenetic rather than to host constraints. Here we determined the position of Cichlidogyrus amieti, a parasite of species of Aphyosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Nothobranchiidae) in the phylogeny of its congeners in order to infer its origin and assess the morphological changes associated with host-switching events. Methods: The DNA of specimens of C. amieti isolated from Aphyosemion cameronense in Cameroon was sequenced and analyzed together with that of Cichlidogyrus spp. from cichlid hosts. In order to highlight the influence of the lateral transfer of C. amieti on the haptoral sclerotised parts we performed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to compare the attachment organ structure of C. amieti to that of congeners infecting cichlids. Results: Cichlidogyrus amieti was found to be nested within a strongly supported clade of species described from Hemichromis spp. (i.e. C. longicirrus and C. dracolemma). This clade is located at a derived position of the tree, suggesting that C. amieti transferred from cichlids to Cyprinodontiformes and not inversely. The morphological similarity between features of their copulatory organs suggested that C. amieti shares a recent ancestor with C. dracolemma. It also indicates that in this case, these organs do not seem subjected to strong divergent selection pressure. On the other hand, there are substantial differences in haptoral morphology between C. amieti and all of its closely related congeners described from Hemichromis spp.. Conclusions: Our study provides new evidence supporting the hypothesis of the adaptive nature of haptor morphology. It demonstrates this adaptive component for the first time within Cichlidogyrus, the attachment organs of which were usually considered to be mainly phylogenetically constrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of Monogenoidea, Susanlimae ianwhittingtoni gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed for dactylogyrids collected from the "Nuayang tipis", Pseudeutropius moolenburghae Weber & de Beaufort, 1913, which inhabits freshwater in Sumatra. While clearly a member of a putative clade that includes Asian and African catfish parasites, S. ianwhittingtoni sp. nov. differs from most members of this clade by having a bifurcated haptor that embraces the gill rakers of its host. This haptoral morphology and mode of attachment also occur in species of Bifurcohaptor Jain, 1958. However, species of Susanlimae gen. nov. are easily distinguished by the comparative morphology of their haptoral armature. In Susanlimae gen. nov., the ventral and dorsal bars are single, elongated, and inverted u-shaped (ventral bar short and two short dorsal bars in Bifurcohaptor spp.); the dorsal anchor is robust with well-defined roots (reduced roots and elongate shaft in Bifurcohaptor spp.); and the ventral anchor has an elongated, deep root (inconspicuous in Bifurcohaptor spp.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Tanganyika's biodiversity and endemicity sparked considerable scientific interest. Its monogeneans, minute parasitic flatworms, have received renewed attention. Their host-specificity and simple life cycle render them ideal for parasite speciation research. Because of the wide ecological and phylogenetic range of its cichlids, Lake Tanganyika is a 'natural experiment' to contrast factors influencing monogenean speciation. Three representatives of Bathybatini ( Bathybates minor, B. fasciatus, B. vittatus), endemic predatory non-littoral cichlids, host a single dactylogyridean monogenean species. It is new to science and described as Cichlidogyrus casuarinus sp. nov. This species and C. nshomboi and C. centesimus, from which it differs by the distal end of the accessory piece of the male apparatus and the length of its heel, are the only Cichlidogyrus species with spirally coiled thickening of the penis wall. In Cichlidogyrus, this feature was only found in parasites of endemic Tanganyika tribes. The seemingly species-poor Cichlidogyrus community of Bathybatini may be attributed to meagre host isolation in open water. The new species infects cichlids that substantially differ phylogenetically and ecologically. This may be an adaptation to low host availability. Cichlidogyrus species infecting African Great Lake cichlids are summarized and proposed as model for the influence of host ecology on disease transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unparalleled biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika (Africa) has fascinated biologists for over a century; its unique cichlid communities are a preferred model for evolutionary research. Although species delineation is, in most cases, relatively straightforward, higher-order classifications were shown not to agree with monophyletic groups. Here, traditional morphological methods meet their limitations. A typical example are the tropheine cichlids currently belonging to Simochromis and Pseudosimochromis. The affiliations of these widespread and abundant cichlids are poorly understood. Molecular work suggested that genus and species boundaries should be revised. Moreover, previous morphological results indicated that intraspecific variation should be considered to delineate species in Lake Tanganyika cichlids. We review the genera Simochromis and Pseudosimochromis using an integrative approach. Besides a morphometric study and a barcoding approach, monogenean Cichlidogyrus (Platyhelminthes: Ancyrocephalidae) gill parasites, often highly species-specific, are used as complementary markers. Six new species are described. Cichlidogyrus raeymaekersi sp. nov., C. muterezii sp. nov. and C. banyankimbonai sp. nov. infect S. diagramma. Cichlidogyrus georgesmertensi sp. nov. was found on S. babaulti and S. pleurospilus, C. franswittei sp. nov. on both S. marginatus and P. curvifrons and C. frankwillemsi sp. nov. only on P. curvifrons. As relatedness between Cichlidogyrus species usually reflects relatedness between hosts, we considered Simochromis monotypic because the three Cichlidogyrus species found on S. diagramma belonged to a different morphotype than those found on the other Simochromis. The transfer of S. babaulti, S. marginatus, S. pleurospilus and S. margaretae to Pseudosimochromis was justified by the similarity of their Cichlidogyrus fauna and the intermediate morphology of S. margaretae. Finally parasite data also supported the synonymy between S. pleurospilus and S. babaulti, a species that contains a large amount of geographical morphological variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major goal in ecology is to unravel how species assemblages emerge and how they are structured across the landscape. Host-parasite systems are particularly interesting in this context, as limited host dispersal may promote the differentiation of parasite communities., We examined whether the patterns of species diversity in Cichlidogyrus, a genus of monogenean parasitic flatworms with a direct life cycle, are consistent with the hypothesis that parasite diversity is driven by host dispersal. This was carried out by comparing two sympatric cichlid hosts ( Tropheus moorii and Simochromis diagramma) with contrasting dispersal abilities. Genetic connectivity among host populations along the Zambian shoreline of Lake Tanganyika was estimated using microsatellite genotyping. Cichlidogyrus parasites were isolated and identified morphologically to the species level., Simochromis diagramma, a host with a high dispersal capacity, was infected by a low number of Cichlidogyrus species, and the parasite assemblages were similar among host populations. In contrast, T. moorii, a host with a low dispersal capacity, was infected by a large number of Cichlidogyrus species, and the parasite assemblages differed strongly among host populations. These outcomes were thus as expected from the hypothesis., Because of the strong host specificity of these Cichlidogyrus species, a lack of connectivity among host populations might facilitate allopatric speciation of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adaptation to different ecological environments is thought to drive ecological speciation. This phenomenon culminates in the radiations of cichlid fishes in the African Great Lakes. Multiple characteristic traits of cichlids, targeted by natural or sexual selection, are considered among the driving factors of these radiations. Parasites and pathogens have been suggested to initiate or accelerate speciation by triggering both natural and sexual selection. Three prerequisites for parasite-driven speciation can be inferred from ecological speciation theory. The first prerequisite is that different populations experience divergent infection levels. The second prerequisite is that these infection levels cause divergent selection and facilitate adaptive divergence. The third prerequisite is that parasite-driven adaptive divergence facilitates the evolution of reproductive isolation. Here we investigate the first and the second prerequisite in allopatric chromatically differentiated lineages of the rock-dwelling cichlid Tropheus spp. from southern Lake Tanganyika (Central Africa). Macroparasite communities were screened in eight populations belonging to five different colour morphs. Results: Parasite communities were mainly composed of acanthocephalans, nematodes, monogeneans, copepods, branchiurans, and digeneans. In two consecutive years (2011 and 2012), we observed significant variation across populations for infection with acanthocephalans, nematodes, monogeneans of the genera Gyrodactylus and Cichlidogyrus, and the copepod Ergasilus spp. Overall, parasite community composition differed significantly between populations of different colour morphs. Differences in parasite community composition were stable in time. The genetic structure of Tropheus populations was strong and showed a significant isolation-by-distance pattern, confirming that spatial isolation is limiting host dispersal. Correlations between parasite community composition and Tropheus genetic differentiation were not significant, suggesting that host dispersal does not influence parasite community diversification. Conclusions: Subject to alternating episodes of isolation and secondary contact because of lake level fluctuations, Tropheus colour morphs are believed to accumulate and maintain genetic differentiation through a combination of vicariance, philopatric behaviour and mate discrimination. Provided that the observed contrasts in parasitism facilitate adaptive divergence among populations in allopatry (which is the current situation), and promote the evolution of reproductive isolation during episodes of sympatry, parasites might facilitate speciation in this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny of monogeneans of the genus Thaparocleidus that parasitize the gills of Pangasiidae in Borneo and Sumatra was inferred from molecular data to investigate parasite speciation. The phylogeny of the Pangasiidae was also reconstructed in order to investigate host-parasite coevolutionary history. The monophyly of Thaparocleidus parasitizing Pangasiidae was confirmed. Low intraspecies molecular variability was observed in three Thaparocleidus species collected from geographically distant localities. However, a high intraspecies molecular variability was observed in two Thaparocleidus species suggesting that these species represent a complex of species highly similar in morphology. Distance-based and tree-based methods revealed a significant global fit between parasite and host phylogenies. Parasite duplication (i.e., intrahost speciation) was recognized as the most common event in Thaparocleidus, while the numbers of cospeciation and host switches were lower and similar to each other. When collapsing nodes correspond to duplication cases, our results suggest host switches in the Thaparocleidus-Pangasiidae system precluding congruence between host and parasite trees. We found that the morphometric variability of the parasite attachment organ is not linked to phylogeny, suggesting that the attachment organ is under adaptive constraint. We showed that haptor morphometry is linked to host specificity, whereby nonspecific parasites display higher morphometric variability than specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Tanganyika is the deepest and oldest African Great Lake and of economic importance. While the diversity of its endemic cichlid radiations yielded scientific interest, a number of cichlid tribes have few representatives in the lake. Some of those, namely Oreochromini (ex-Tilapiini), Haplochromini and Tylochromini, reach higher species numbers in riverine systems. Conversely, the phylogenetic position of the monospecific and endemic Boulengerochromini is unclear. The oreochromines Oreochromis tanganicae and Oreochromis niloticus, the haplochromine Astatotilapia burtoni, the tylochromine Tylochromis polylepis and the boulengerochromine Boulengerochromis microlepis, the largest cichlid species worldwide, were surveyed for ancyrocephalid monogenean gill parasites. Five new species are proposed. Cichlidogyrus gillardinae sp. n. is described from A. burtoni, Cichlidogyrus mbirizei sp. n. from O. tanganicae and Cichlidogyrus nshomboi sp. n. from B. microlepis. T. polylepis harbours Cichlidogyrus mulimbwai sp. n., Cichlidogyrus muzumanii sp. n. and a third, presently undescribed species. Four species known from outside the Tanganyika Basin were retrieved on the oreochromines. The host species are scientific models or important in the sectors of fisheries or ornamental fish trade. Moreover, their phylogenetic positions render them well-suited to help elucidate the historic relationships between riverine and lacustrine African cichlids. In this framework, their Cichlidogyrus fauna is compared to congeners known from African rivers and to the few Tanganyika representatives described. While the parasites of Oreochromis, A. burtoni and T. polylepis are reminiscent of those infecting related hosts throughout Africa, B. microlepis hosts a Cichlidogyrus morphotype typical of Lake Tanganyika. This supports its placement within an endemic cichlid radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The goals of this paper were to investigate phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of cichlid fish from West Africa and their Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus monogenean parasites, to uncover the presence of host-parasite cospeciation and to assess the level of morphological adaptation in parasites. This required the following steps, each one representing specific objectives of this paper: (1) to build phylogenetic trees for Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus species based on ribosomal DNA sequences, (2) to investigate phylogenetic relationships within West African cichlid fish based on the analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences, (3) to investigate host-parasite cophylogenetic history to gain clues on parasite speciation process, and (4) to investigate the link between the morphology of the attachment apparatus and parasite phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyletic origin of the Cichlidogyrus/Scutogyrus group, and suggested that Cichlidogyrus is polyphyletic and that Scutogyrus is monophyletic. The phylogeny of Cichlidae supported the separation of mouthbrooders and substrate-brooders and is consistent with the hypothesis that the mouthbrooding behavior of Oreochromis and Sarotherodon evolved from substrate-brooding behavior. The mapping of morphological characters of the haptor onto the parasite phylogenetic tree suggests that the attachment organ has evolved from a very simple form to a more complex one. The cophylogenetic analyses indicated a significant fit between trees using distancebased tests, but no significant cospeciation signal using tree-based tests, suggesting the presence of parasite duplications and host switches on related host species. This shed some light on the diversification process of Cichlidogyrus species parasitizing West African cichlids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Lake Tanganyika hosts the most diverse endemic cichlid fish assemblage, its monogenean parasite fauna has hardly been documented. The cichlid tribe Tropheini has generated great interest because of its systematic position within the Haplochromini s.l. and its diversity in trophic morphology, reproductive behaviour and population structure. It has the potential to host a diverse Monogenea fauna. Here, we describe the first Cichlidogyrus spp.: Cichlidogyrus steenbergei sp. n., Cichlidogyrus irenae sp. n. and Cichlidogyrus gistelincki sp. n. The three host species, Limnotilapia dardennii, Ctenochromis horei and Gnathochromis pfefferi, are all infected by a single unique Cichlidogyrus sp. The genital and haptoral structure of the new species suggests a close relationship, which might mirror the close affinities between the hosts within the Tropheini. Based on haptoral configuration, the new species belong to a morphological group within the genus containing parasites both of West African cichlids and of Haplochromini, and hence, do not represent a new organisation of the attachment organ (as has recently been described of congeners infecting the ectodine cichlid Ophthalmotilapia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cichlidogyrus spp. (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) are common parasites of cichlid fishes from Africa and the Levant. They display important morphological variation in their attachment apparatus and infect a broad host spectrum throughout a wide geographic range. Thus, they offer an interesting model to investigate to what extent the phenotypic variability of the attachment organ among congeners is related to host specificity, geographic/environmental components, or phylogeny. A geometric morphometric approach was carried out to analyse the shape variation of sclerotized structures of the attachment organ within 66 African species of the genus Cichlidogyrus. The interspecific shape comparison supports the presence of three main morphological configurations, each consisting of a given combination of particular sclerite shapes. Moreover, data emphasize strong coordination and integration (shape co-variation) among the different sclerites jointly forming the attachment organ. Although attachment apparatuses are usually considered to be the result of adaptive processes and must be adapted to the hosts and local environmental conditions, we found no relationship between these clusters and host specificity or geographical distribution. Nevertheless, groups are partially congruent with those obtained with the molecular phylogeny of a subset of species, suggesting a phylogenetic constraint rather than an adaptation to either hosts or environment. Because of the necessity to form a functional entity, modularity within attachment organ imposes important evolutionary constraint. This provides new insights into the evolvability of attachment organs, as well as into the morphological basis of host specificity and host-parasite co-evolutionary interaction in helminth parasites. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, , 694-706. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss geographical distribution and phylogeny of Dactylogyridea (Monogenea) parasitizing Cichlidae to elucidate their hosts' history. Although mesoparasitic Monogenea (Enterogyrus spp.) show typical vicariant distribution, ectoparasitic representatives from different continents are not considered sister taxa, hence their distribution cannot result from vicariance alone. Because of the close host-parasite relationship, this might indicate that present-day cichlid distribution may also reflect dispersal through coastal or brackish waters. Loss of ectoparasites during transoceanic migration, followed by lateral transfer from other fish families might explain extant host-parasite associations. Because of its mesoparasitic nature, hence not subject to salinity variations of the host's environment, Enterogyrus could have survived marine migrations, intolerable for ectoparasites. Host-switches and salinity transitions may be invoked to explain the pattern revealed by a preliminary morphological phylogeny of monogenean genera from Cichlidae and other selected Monogenea genera, rendering the parasite distribution explicable under both vicariance and dispersal. Testable hypotheses are put forward in this parasitological approach to cichlid biogeography. Along with more comprehensive in depth morphological phylogeny, comparison with molecular data, clarifying dactylogyridean evolution on different continents and from various fish families, and providing temporal information on host-parasite history, are needed to discriminate between the possible scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African freshwater fish of Cichlidae are parasitized by five genera of monogeneans belonging to Dactylogyridea. Ectoparasitic Scutogyrus, Onchobdella, and the highly diversified Cichlidogyrus represent three genera located on the gills, while the endoparasitic Enterogyrus and Urogyrus are located in the stomach and the urinary bladder, respectively. Representatives of four dactylogyridean genera (except for Urogyrus) were collected from seven cichlid species in West Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between ectoparasitic and endoparasitic dactylogyridaen monogeneans specific to African freshwater Cichlidae and other representatives of Dactylogyridae, including a wide range of species from both freshwater and marine environments. All phylogenetic analyses point to the polyphyletic origin of the subfamily Ancyrocephalinae. Both Enterogyrus and Onchobdella were found to be monophyletic. The phylogenetic position of Scutogyrus longicornis was placed within the Cichlidogyrus species, which suggests the non-monophyly of Cichlidogyrus. Therefore, we have proposed a taxonomical revision of the species recently considered to be Scutogyrus. However, these four dactylogyridean genera-specific to cichlids do not form a monophyletic group. Using LSU rDNA analyses, we found that Enterogyrus and Onchobdella form a clade with Protogyrodactylus, i.e., the parasite species does not live in cichlids, which suggests that endoparasitism in cichlid monogeneans is not an ancestral feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination of gill parasites from èSarotherodon occidentalisè (Daget) (Pisces, Cichlidae) in Guinea and Sierra Leone (West Africa) revealed the presence of seven species of Monogenea. Two of them have previously been described: ichlidogyrus halli; (Price & Kirk, 1967) and Scutogyrus ecoutini Pariselle & Euzet, 1995. Five are considered as new species, all belonging to Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960. They are C. bouvii n. sp., C. fontanai n. sp., C. guirali n. sp., C. paganoi n. sp. and C. sanjeani n. sp. Résumé L'examen des parasites branchiaux de Sarotherodon occidentalis (Daget) (Pisces, Cichlidae) en Guinée et en Sierra Leone (Afrique de l'Ouest) a révélé la présence de sept espèces de Monogènes. Deux ont déjàè été décrites: Cichlidogyrus halli (Price & Kirk, 1967) et Scutogyrus ecoutini Pariselle & Euzet, 1995. Cinq, appartenant toutes au genre Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960, sont considérées comme nouvelles, C. bouvii n. sp., C. fontanai n. sp., C. guirali n. sp., C. paganoi n. sp. et C. sanjeani n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Systematic Parasitology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Systematic Parasitology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Descriptions are given of Enterogyrus foratus n. sp., collected from the stomach of Sarotherodon melanotheron (Osteichtyes, Cichlidae) in Senegal and the Ivory Coast, and E. coronatus n. sp. from the stomach of Tilapia guineensis (Osteichtyes, Cichlidae) in the Ivory Coast. The two new species differ from almost all other congeneric species mainly with regard to the novel shape of the haptor. This haptor comprises two segments: an elongated posterior peduncular segment, which deeply penetrates the stomach wall, and a bulbous anterior segment. The posterior segment bears two pairs of hamuli (dorsal and ventral), a transverse V-shaped ventral bar and ventral hooklets I and II. The anterior segment has hooklets III and IV (dorsal) and V to VII (ventral) arranged in an equatorial circle. These two species possess the spiral cirrus characteristic of the genus Enterogyrus, but differ with respect to each other and to other members of the genus by the nature of the spirality of the cirrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ciliated sensory receptors of a hitherto unknown type were found in the cercariae of Nicolla gallica (Trematoda, Coitocaecidae). They displayed a sheath or collar of tegumentary origin from which stereocilia-like villi projected. Some of them might act as mechanoreceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]