<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Ectoparasites, particularly monogeneans, negatively affect fish health and growth. This study identified monogenean parasites in the twobar seabream, <italic>Acanthopagrus bifasciatus</italic> (Sparidae), inhabited the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia). Following that, forty <italic>A. bifasciatus</italic> fish samples were visually examined for monogeneans. Parasite species were collected from the gills and then analyzed morphometrically, morphologically, and molecularly using the partial regions of the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. Fish species were also identified using a DNA barcoding approach based on the COI gene. The monogenean species of <italic>Diclidophora merlangi</italic> (Diclidophoridae) were found in 45% of the fish species studied. The generic features of the <italic>Diclidophora</italic> genus distinguish this species. This species discriminated itself from congeners by having a muscular bulb with 17 grooved and recurved hooks, 218±10 (184–267) post-ovarian testes, and four pairs of pedunculated clamps of relative sizes. Partial 28S rRNA sequencing from monogeneans revealed that they grouped with members of the genus <italic>Diclidophora</italic>, forming a monophyletic group that supported the morphological descriptions. Molecular identification revealed that <italic>D. merlangi</italic> has a unique barcode made up of a COI sequence. The host identity was established as <italic>A. bifasciatus</italic> based on the COI gene sequences. Furthermore, a molecular phylogenetic study was performed to determine the phylogenetic affinity of parasite species and fish hosts. This study on <italic>Diclidophora</italic> species is considered the first record of this genus in the examined area.</p>
</abstract>

Ectoparasites, particularly monogeneans, negatively affect fish health and growth. This study identified monogenean parasites in the twobar seabream, Acanthopagrus bifasciatus (Sparidae), inhabited the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia). Following that, forty A. bifasciatus fish samples were visually examined for monogeneans. Parasite species were collected from the gills and then analyzed morphometrically, morphologically, and molecularly using the partial regions of the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. Fish species were also identified using a DNA barcoding approach based on the COI gene. The monogenean species of Diclidophora merlangi (Diclidophoridae) were found in 45% of the fish species studied. The generic features of the Diclidophora genus distinguish this species. This species discriminated itself from congeners by having a muscular bulb with 17 grooved and recurved hooks, 218±10 (184–267) post-ovarian testes, and four pairs of pedunculated clamps of relative sizes. Partial 28S rRNA sequencing from monogeneans revealed that they grouped with members of the genus Diclidophora, forming a monophyletic group that supported the morphological descriptions. Molecular identification revealed that D. merlangi has a unique barcode made up of a COI sequence. The host identity was established as A. bifasciatus based on the COI gene sequences. Furthermore, a molecular phylogenetic study was performed to determine the phylogenetic affinity of parasite species and fish hosts. This study on Diclidophora species is considered the first record of this genus in the examined area.

Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite (<italic>Diclidophora merlangi</italic>) that infects Twobar Seabream Fish (<italic>Acanthopagrus bifasciatus</italic>) in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Department of Zoology, College of Science

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite () that infects Twobar Seabream Fish () in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Ectoparasites, particularly monogeneans, negatively affect fish health and growth. This study identified monogenean parasites in the twobar seabream,...

Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite (Diclidophora merlangi) that infects Twobar Seabream Fish (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Publicado en línea: 16 jul 2024

Páginas: 184 - 193

Recibido: 04 mar 2024

Aceptado: 16 abr 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2024-0012

Palabras clave
Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea, Morphology, Host identity, 28S rRNA, COI

© 2024 G. Alojayri et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite (Diclidophora merlangi) that infects Twobar Seabream Fish (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Publicado en línea: 16 jul 2024

Páginas: 184 - 193

Recibido: 04 mar 2024

Aceptado: 16 abr 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2024-0012

Palabras claveMonogenea, Polyopisthocotylea, Morphology, Host identity, 28S rRNA, COI

© 2024 G. Alojayri et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Palabras clave
Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea, Morphology, Host identity, 28S rRNA, COI