MONOGENEAN GILL PARASITES OF THE KINGFISH SERIOLA GRANDIS CASTLENAU (CARANGIDAE) FROM THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Abstract

15 Seriola grandis (Carangidae) from near Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, were examined for gill parasites. The Monogenea Zeuxapta seriolae (Meserve, 1938) and Paramicrocotyloides reticularis gen. et sp. nov. are described. The new species differs from other genera of the Microcotylidae in its caecal reticulum found in most of the body, in its body proper which is divided into three parts, and in its opisthaptor, which is symmetrical and has two equal rows of clamps. The clamps are of two types, the most anterior ones are symmetrical of a typical Microcotyle-type, all others are asymmetrical of a modified Microcofyle-type. The unarmed common genital atrium is ventral and close to the pharynx, the unarmed vagina is mid-dorsal, a short distance behind the genital atrium. Zeuxaptajaponica is synonymized with Z. seriolae. The distribution of the two Monogenea species and of two copepod species on the gills is described.