A Monogenean Gill Parasite within the Genus <i>Haliotrema</i> (Ancyrocephalidae) Infecting <i>Argyrops filamentosus</i> Fish: Morphology and Molecular Studies

Due to the presence of different parasite taxa and other disease-causing agents, all fish species are extremely prone to dangers. As a result, the current study focused on some of the monogenean parasites that infect one of the economically important fish species, the soldier bream <i>Argyrops...

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Main Authors: Rewaida Abdel-Gaber, Masheil Alghamdi, Saleh Al Quraishy, Esam M. Al-Shaebi, Manal F. Elkhadragy, Saeed El-Ashram, Mohamed A. Dkhil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/6/1010
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Summary:Due to the presence of different parasite taxa and other disease-causing agents, all fish species are extremely prone to dangers. As a result, the current study focused on some of the monogenean parasites that infect one of the economically important fish species, the soldier bream <i>Argyrops filamentosus</i>, from the Red Sea coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Following that, thirty <i>A. filamentosus</i> fish specimens were examined for monogenean parasites. The parasitic species were isolated and morphologically and molecularly studied. The presence of one monogenean species of <i>Haliotrema susanae</i> (F: Ancyrocephalidae) infecting gills was observed in 50% of the investigated fish species. The ancyrocephalid species <i>Haliotrema susanae</i> is characterized by having all generic features within the genus <i>Haliotrema</i>. It could be distinguished from other species within this genus by the male copulatory organ including a copulatory tube with no accessory piece and a haptor made up of two pairs of anchors, two bars, and seven pairs of marginal hooks. As ectoparasitic taxa of the investigated sparid fish, the current study of <i>Haliotrema</i> species constitutes the first report of this genus. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the partial <i>28S rRNA</i> gene region was analyzed to investigate the phylogenetic affinity of this parasite with the genus <i>Haliotrema</i> belonging to Ancyrocephalidae. This study considers the addition of a new genetic sequence for this parasite species.
ISSN:2076-2615