Search

Background: The gills of Red River Pupfish (Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis) collected from Kansas and Texas, U.S.A., were found to be infected with three monogenoideans, Fundulotrema prolongis, Gyrodactylus rubrofluviatilae n. sp., and a species of Salsuginus., Results: Gyrodactylus rubrofluviatilae n. sp. appears to be a member of a group of six closely related species possessing hamuli with mesially folded roots and a linguiform ventral bar shield, and parasitizing closely related species of Cyprinodon of the North American Gulf Coast and inland waters of the Southwestern United States and northern México. Gyrodactylus rubrofluviatilae n. sp. differs from its close congeners in the morphology of the hamuli, ventral bar, ventral bar shield, and marginal hooks. Because the morphology of the male copulatory complex was not determined of what we believe will eventually be a new species of Salsuginus, a species description is deferred. This is the first report of any parasite from this host., Conclusions: Many North American species currently recognized within the Cyprinodontiformes have not yet been surveyed for species of Fundulotrema, Gyrodactylus, or Salsuginus. This, coupled with the high host specificity generally recognized for these monogeneans, portends there are likely additional new species yet to be discovered. When possible, to help augment morphological data, further studies should employ comprehensive intra- and interspecies molecular analyses to help resolve host-parasite phylogenies.