Ligophorus species (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from Mugil cephalus (Teleostei: Mugilidae) off Morocco with the description of a new species and remarks about the use of Ligophorus spp. as biological markers of host populations.
Gill monogenean species of Ligophorus Euzet et Suriano, 1977 were studied from the teleost Mugil cephalus Linneaus (Mugilidae) from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Morocco. We report the presence of L. mediterraneus from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast and L. cephali and L. maroccanus sp. n. from the Atlantic coast only. The latter species, which is described herein as new, resembles L. guanduensis but differs from this species mainly in having a shorter penis compared to the accessory piece, a proportionally longer extremity of the accessory piece and a less developed heel. The utility of Ligophorus spp. as markers of cryptic species of the complex M. cephalus is discussed in the context of species diversity and geographical distribution of these monogeneans on this host around the world. Presence of different species of Ligophorus on M. cephalus sensu stricto from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast of Morocco demonstrates the usefulness of these species as fine resolution markers of genetic populations of their host, which are known to inhabit those coasts.
Département de Biologie, Université Hassan II, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de Mohammedia, Mohammedia, Morocco.
Fouzia
F
El Hafidi
Laboratoire de Zoologie et de Biologie Générale, Université Mohammed V - Agdal, Faculté des Sciences, Rabat, Morocco.
Ouafae Berrada
OB
Rkhami
Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, USA.
Isaure
I
de Buron
Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Jean-Dominique
JD
Durand
Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), ISE-M, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Antoine
A
Pariselle
D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005880:Gills / Q000469:parasitology; D008522:Mediterranean Sea / Q000453:epidemiology; D009018:Morocco; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000145:classification*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
D015415:Biomarkers