During an investigation of the biodiversity and structure of parasite communities among native populations of the erythrinid fish Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes) from 7 rivers in Brazil, the following monogenoidean (Dactylogyridae) species were found: Urocleidoides malabaricusi n. sp., Urocleidoides naris n. sp., Urocleidoides cuiabai n. sp., Urocleidoides brasiliensis n. sp., and Urocleidoides eremitus Kritsky, Thatcher, and Boeger, 1986. Specimens considered as a new genus of Dactylogyridae were also found. The new species are mainly distinguished from the other 14 species of Urocleidoides in the general morphology of their copulatory and anchors/bar complexes. These new species and the new dactylogyrid genus are described, as well as supplemental observations and new illustrations of U. eremitus are provided. The present findings expand the known geographical distribution of species of Urocleidoides to southeastern and midwestern Brazil. A high speciation of this genus in the tropics is hypothesized, and it is briefly discussed.
During a survey conducted in the Cuiabá and Paraguay Rivers in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland, in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, we found branchiurans associated with Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Salminus brasiliensis and Zungaro zungaro. These branchiurans correspond to Argulus chiropteroideus sp. n., Argulus multicolor, Argulus nattereri, Argulus pestifer, Dolops carvalhoi and Dolops longicauda. Besides the description of the new species, in this study we also provide important morphological notes for diagnosis of the other species. Specimens of Argulus chiropteroideus sp. n. were collected from skin of P. reticulatum and P. corruscans. They differ from A. multicolor and Argulus chicomendesi, in the shape of the postantennal spines, which is medially convex and has two lateral and one anterior stout tips in the new species, and for having three claviform, digitate spines on the base of the second maxillae (absent in A. multicolor; three conical, short spines in A. chicomendesi). A. chiropteroideus sp. n. do not have an anterior and a posterior spine on first two segments of first antenna, as well as no flagellum on the dorsal surface of the first two pairs of legs, structures present in A. multicolor and A. chicomendesi. The new species also differ from A. multicolor and A. chicomendesi, in the shape and number of sclerites that compound the support rods of the suction cup.
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