Acta Parasitologica, Vol. 52, No. 3, 2007, 196–200. DOI: 10.2478/s11686-007-0028-x Aude Sigura (1), Claude Chauvet (2) and Jean-Lou Justine (1)* –
Pseudorhabdosynochus bacchus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) from Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia
(1) Équipe Biogéographie Marine Tropicale, Unité Systématique, Adaptation, Évolution (CNRS, UPMC, MNHN, IRD), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex, Nouvelle-Calédonie;
(2) LERVEM, Laboratoire d'Études des Ressources Vivantes et de l'Environnement Marin, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, BP R4, Nouméa 98847 Cedex, Nouvelle-Calédonie
*Corresponding author: justine@ird.nc
ABSTRACT
Pseudorhabdosynochus bacchus sp. nov. (Diplectanidae) is described from the gills of the whitespotted grouper Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus collected off New Caledonia, South Pacific, and is the first monogenean reported from this fish. It has a characteristic
quadriloculate male organ, with both cone and tube of similar short length (10–12 µm). The morphology of its sclerotised vagina, with two chambers of equal size, differentiates it from all other species of the genus. Other rare Pseudorhabdosynochus species and specimens
of an undescribed species of Haliotrema (Ancyrocephalidae) were also found, but in insufficient number to allow description.
KEY WORDS:
Monogenea, Diplectanidae, Pseudorhabdosynochus bacchus sp. nov., Serranidae, Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus, biodiversity, New Caledonia