title: First record of a digenean from invasive lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans, (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
abstract: Adults of Lecithochirium floridense (Digenea: Hemiuridae) parasitized the stomach in each of 22 necropsied lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) (prevalence  =  100%, mean intensity  =  11), captured in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean off Beaufort, North Carolina (34°14.83'N, 76°35.25'W). This is the first report of a digenean from the invasive lionfish and that of L. floridense from a species of Pterois. The leech specimen previously identified as Myzobdella lugubris from P. volitans in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean is re-identified as Trachelobdella lubrica based on a study of the original voucher specimen.
authors.affiliation: Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA. ash.bullard@auburn.edu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bullard
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barse
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D005399:Fishes; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009657:North Carolina; D013270:Stomach / Q000469:parasitology; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*