Monomyxum ligophori n. sp.
We report the first life cycle of a myxozoan that most likely does not require a vertebrate host. Hyperparasitic myxozoans are rare with only five species reported worldwide to infect flatworms. This study provides more information of the previously discussed host specificity towards monopisthocotylan hosts of these monomyxid myxozoan hyperparasites. Notably, Monomyxum ligophori n. sp. was detected in two out of four gill-infecting parasitic flatworms (being absent in Ligophorus uruguayensis and Metamicrocotyla macracantha) found infecting the same fish individuals during the ParasiteBlitz.