Oesophagotrema mediterranean. gen., n. sp. (Platyhelminthes, Digenea, Zoogonidae), Parasite of the NeedlefishTylosurus acus imperialis(Beloniformes, Belonidae) from off Tunisia

Abstract

Oesophagotrema mediterranea n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea, Zoogonidae) is described from the needlefi sh Tylosurus acus imperialis (Beloniformes, Belonidae) off the Tunisian coast. Oesophagotrema n. gen. is distinguished from all other Lepidophyllinae genera by the combination of a prominent rounded ventral sucker, caeca reaching to the anterior edge of the posterior testis, testes arranged in tandem in the middle third of the hindbody and the vitellarium in symmetrical lateral bunches located between the ovary and anterior testis. Th is species shows a typical specifi c site of infection within the digestive tract, i.e., the oesophagus and vomer teeth. Th e position of this zoogonid digenean on the oesophagus is discussed.

Sclerodistomoides pacificus Kamegai, 1971 (Sclerodistomoididae Gibson & Bray, 1979) and Tetrochetus coryphaenae Yamaguti, 1934 (Accacoeliidae Odhner, 1911), two rarely reported digeneans from Tylosurus acus imperialis (Rafinesque) (Belonidae), and a list of helminth parasites of Tylosurus acus (Lacépède)

“…the monogenean Nudaciraxine imperium and the digeneans Lecithostaphylus tylosuri and Oesophagotrema mediterranea (see Châari et al, 2010Châari et al, , 2011Châari et al, , 2013. In addition, Euzet & Ktari (1971) described the monogenean Aspinatrium gallieni Euzet & Ktari, 1971 from Strongylura acus (Lacépède) off the Tunisian coast.…”

“…Raibaut et al (1998) listed the copepods of T. a. imperialis from the Mediterranean Sea. In a study on the biodiversity of parasite communities in T. a. imperialis off the Tunisian coast, we recently described the monogenean Nudaciraxine imperium Châari, Derbel & Neifar, 2010 and two digenean species, Lecithostaphylus tylosuri Châari, Derbel & Neifar, 2013 and Oesophagotrema mediterranea Châari, Derbel & Neifar, 2011(see Châari et al, 2011, 2013. The present paper deals with redescriptions of two other poorly known digenean species, Sclerodistomoides pacificus Kamegai, 1971 andTetrochetus coryphaenae Yamaguti, 1934.…”

Parasitic infections in the Mediterranean needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis (Teleostei: Belonidae) off Tunisian coast

“…Raibaut [6][7][8]. However, the quantitative aspect of parasites of T. acus imperialis has not previously been studied.…”

Lecithostaphylus tylosuri sp. nov. (Digenea, Zoogonidae) from the digestive tract of the needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis (Teleostei, Belonidae)

“…This family includes at least 77 nominal species (Brooks 1990) and 32 valid genera (Bray 2008, Jezewski et al 2009, Châari et al 2011. The taxonomic status of this family has been discussed by Bray 1987 and was subdivided into two subfamilies, the Zoogoninae Odhner, 1902and the Lepidophyllinae Stossich, 1903.…”