This study characterises morphologically Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977 from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque, 1818) in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Body and gill smears were air-dried at room temperature, impregnated with silver nitrate and/or stained with Giemsa. Ten characteristics were selected to compare the present material with other morphological characterisations of T. heterodentata. Prevalence rate was 100%, mean intensity 89,333.70 (3,125 to 299,100 parasites per host). Trichodina heterodentata was considered medium-sized trichodinid with mean body diameter 59.4 ± 8.5 µm, denticulate ring 38.5 ± 4.5 µm, adhesive disc 60.2 ± 6.7 µm diameter and 24.4 ± 1.6 denticles. In relation to previous reports of T. heterodentata this material resembles in 90% of the analysed characters. This work confirms the biometrical variation that exists in the different populations of T. heterodentata. A list of hosts and comparative measurements of T. heterodentata are presented and the channel catfish is considered a new host.Keywords: channel catfish, trichodinid, Trichodina heterodentata, morphology. Trichodina heterodentata foi considerado um tricodinídeo de tamanho médio com a média do diâmetro do corpo de 59,4 ± 8.5 µm, anel denticulado 38,5 ± 4,5 µm, disco adesivo 60,2 ± 6,7 µm de diâmetro e 24,4 ± 1,6 dentículos. Em relação a registros prévios de T. heterodentata, 90% das características foram semelhantes. Este trabalho confirma a variação biométrica que existe em diferentes populações de T. heterodentata. Uma lista de hospedeiros e medidas comparativas de T. heterodentata são apresentadas e o bagre-do-canal considerado um novo hospedeiro.
Primeiro registro dePalavras-chave: bagre do canal, tricodinídeo, Trichodina heterodentata, morfologia.