Molecular assessment of three species of Anilocra (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) ectoparasites from Caribbean coral reef fishes, with the description of Anilocra brillae sp. n.

Abstract

A morphological review and molecular characterization of Anilocra haemuli Bunkley Williams & Williams, 1981, were completed using specimens collected from Haemulon flavolineatum Desmarest, 1823 (French grunt) and Epinephelus guttatus Linnaeus, 1758 (red hind). Molecular and morphological data suggest that the isopods parasitizing H. flavolineatum and E. guttatus are different species. The specimens collected from E. guttatus are recognized as a new species, Anilocra brillae sp. n. Differences between Anilocra brillae sp. n. and A. haemuli include but are not limited to the pleonites 1–3 of A. brillae sp. n. being wider than 4–5 and 4–5 subequal, whereas the pleonites 1–2 of A. haemuli are wider than 3–5, and 3–5 are subequal. The seventh pereopod of A. brillae sp. n. is proportionally larger, has more robust setae, and the setae are distributed more extensively over the articles when compared to A. haemuli. Additionally, this study provides the first genetic characterization of three Anilocra spp. from the Caribbean, and is based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit gene (COI) for A. haemuli from H. flavolineatum, A. brillae sp. n. from E. guttatus, and A. chromis Bunkley Williams & Williams, 1981 from Chromis multilineata Guichenot, 1853.

Redescription and molecular characterisation of the fish ectoparasite Anilocra capensis Leach, 1818 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae), with description of six new species of Anilocra Leach, 1818 from Africa

“…Nearly half of the species of Anilocra accepted today were described in the 1980s, with many originating from the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean [8, 21]. Since 2001, just four new species have been described based on material from the Caribbean [24], Chile [25], Lebanon [26] and the Gulf of Mexico [27]. In 2017, using morphological and molecular data, Anilocra brillae [24] from the Caribbean was identified and described based on specimens that were originally thought to be Anilocra haemuli [8].…”

“…Since 2001, just four new species have been described based on material from the Caribbean [24], Chile [25], Lebanon [26] and the Gulf of Mexico [27]. In 2017, using morphological and molecular data, Anilocra brillae [24] from the Caribbean was identified and described based on specimens that were originally thought to be Anilocra haemuli [8]. This revision is an example of the cryptic nature of some Anilocra spp., and the importance of combining morphological and molecular data whenever possible.…”

“…is not tri-lobed to very weakly tri-lobed. Further comparisons among cymothoid genera and generic features are detailed in Welicky et al [24].…”

“…This paper provides a detailed description of one of the original named species, and descriptions of six species new to science and thus will aid in the correct identification of these organisms. It is important to note that our molecular findings were unexpected as the nucleotide- and p-distance values between A. capensis and other Anilocra showed at levels more similar to differences observed between genera [24]. In order to better quantify species and genus level differences within the family Cymothoidae, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of old and new world species that are specifically linked to correct morphological identification are needed.…”

Influence of Marine Protected Areas on parasitic prevalence: the case of the isopod Anilocra physodes as a parasite of the fish Lithognathus mormyrus

“…may also form dense schools and show demersal behavior, but they mainly feed in rocky areas, preying on epifaunal organisms or feeding on macroalgal tissue, respectively (Garc ıa-Charton et al, 2004). On the other hand, it should be also noticed that recent studies have revealed the existence of cryptic species within several cymothoid species (including some Anilocra species) with a wide diversity of potential hosts (Poore & Bruce, 2012;Welicky et al, 2017b).…”