Dendromonocotyle colorni sp. n. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the skin of Himantura uarnak (Dasyatididae) from Israel and a new host record for D. octodiscus from the Bahamas

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Abstract. Dendromonocotyle species (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) are the only monocotylids to parasitize the skin of chondrichthyan hosts. Currently 11 species are recorded from the skin of ray species in the Dasyatidae, Myliobatidae and Urolophidae. There have been increasing reports of Dendromonocotyle outbreaks on rays kept in public aquaria. This paper provides a broad review of Dendromonocotyle that should assist taxonomists and aquarists with species identification and help decisions on potential control methods for Dendromonocotyle infections. The taxonomy and host-specificity of Dendromonocotyle are discussed and a key to current species is provided. We summarise what little is known about the biology of Dendromonocotyle including egg embryonation and hatching, feeding, camouflage and reproduction. The efficacy of freshwater baths, chemical treatments and biological control measures such as the use of cleaner fish for Dendromonocotyle is also discussed. We demonstrate that effective control of Dendromonocotyle on captive rays is hampered by the lack of basic biological data on the life cycle of the parasites. A case history is provided outlining the success of a public aquarium (Underwater World, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia) in managing D. pipinna infections on captive Taeniura meyeni without chemical intervention simply by taking measures to reduce host stress.Most Monogenea are recorded from the skin, fins and gills of teleost fish and only about 200 valid monogenean species in seven families (Acanthocotylidae, Amphibdellidae, Capsalidae, Hexabothriidae, Loimoidae, Microbothriidae, Monocotylidae) are known from various sites on chondrichthyans (Whittington and Chisholm 2003). In our experience, the infection intensity of monogeneans on wild sharks and rays is generally low. However, when elasmobranchs are kept in captivity, monogenean intensities can increase significantly due to their direct life cycle. In extreme cases, monogeneans can cause lesions at their attachment site which may result in the death of the elasmobranch either indirectly (via secondary infections) or directly (e.g. Poynton et al. 1997, Bullard et al. 2001.The Monocotylidae comprises 23 genera and represents approximately 60% of all monogeneans recorded from elasmobranchs . This is a unique family because members can parasitize a broad diversity of sites on their chondrichthyan hosts including the skin, gills, nasal tissue, urogenital system and inner wall of the body cavity. Members of Dendromonocotyle are the only monocotylids to parasitize the skin. Recently there have been an increasing number of reports of Dendromonocotyle outbreaks on rays in public aquaria.This review provides information on the taxonomy of Dendromonocotyle and a key to species to assist with identification. We highlight how little is known about the biology of Dendromonocotyle and how this lack of information impacts on the development of effective biological and chemical control measures. We then outline how one public aquarium, Underwater World, in Que...

Section: Biology Of Dendromonocotylesupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Taxonomy Of Dendromonocotylementioning

confidence: 99%

A review of Dendromonocotyle (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the skin of stingrays and their control in public aquaria

Chisholm¹,

Whittington²,

Fischer³

2004

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“…The "spermatophore", seen in the proximal region of the vagina of M. borneoensis, differs morphologically from those observed in the other two Myliocotyle species and from those described in other monocotylids (e.g. Dendromonocotyle species; see Chisholm et al 2001). Accessory sclerites have been observed in the vagina of other monocotylids (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Two new species of Myliocotyle (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Aetomylaeus maculatus and A. nichofii (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatidae) from Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Chisholm¹,

Whittington²

2004

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Abstract. Myliocotyle borneoensis sp. n. and M. multicrista sp. n. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae) are described from the gills of the mottled eagle ray, Aetomylaeus maculatus (Gray), and the banded eagle ray A. nichofii (Bloch et Schneider) (Myliobatidae), respectively, collected from the northern coast of Malaysian Borneo. These are the first monogeneans to be described on elasmobranchs from Borneo. The formerly monotypic Myliocotyle (for M. pteromylaei) was distinguished from other monocotylids by the distribution and morphology of the eight sclerotised dorsal haptoral accessory structures and the morphology of the male copulatory organ. However, we have determined that M. pteromylaei has ten structures on the dorsal surface of the haptor. Myliocotyle borneoensis is distinguished from M. pteromylaei by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and its accessory piece. Myliocotyle multicrista has 12 sclerotised dorsal haptoral accessory structures and a male copulatory organ with two accessory pieces. Additional sclerotised ridges across the ventral surfaces of each loculus (except the posterior-most pair) are also present in M. multicrista. The diagnosis for Myliocotyle is revised given our discovery of additional dorsal haptoral accessory structures in the type species and to accommodate other new characters of the two new species. Anterior secretions of Myliocotyle are discussed.

“…We are, however, unaware of a penis stylet elsewhere in the class. The stylet of R. kiatkiongi is simple, sharp-ended, and lacking in armature, appearing analogous to the stylets present in some Monogenea and Turbellaria (Chisholm et al 2001). This remarkable feature alone suggests that this form merits a new genus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Rhaphidotrema kiatkiongi, a new genus and species of blood fluke (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) from Arothron hispidus (Osteichthyes: Tetraodontidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Yong

Cribb²

2011

A new genus of fish blood flukes (Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912) is proposed for a species found on reefs surrounding Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Rhaphidotrema kiatkiongi gen. et sp. n. was recovered from the heart of the starsand-stripes pufferfish, Arothron hispidus (L.) (Tetraodontidae). Rhaphidotrema kiatkiongi is notable as the first digenean reported to possess a penis stylet. It also differs from all other aporocotylid flukes in having a combination of 18-19 testes in a group at the ends of the intestinal caeca, a broad lanceolate body shape with a dextrally-directed posterior bend at the level of the male genital pore, and separate genital pores, with the female genital pore distinctly sinistral and the male genital pore slightly dextral to midline. This is the second species of aporocotylid fluke reported from this pufferfish.