Ligophorus simpliciformis Dmitrieva, Gerasev, Gibson, Pronkina, Galli, 2012 parasite in collection

Other host

Liza carinata (Valenciennes)

Other locality

Red Sea, Ras Mohammed National Park

Short description:

General internal morphology and haptoral armaments all conform to diagnose of genus Ligophorus sensu Euzet & Suriano (1977). Body, 220 ± 7 (190–260) µm wide, 665 ± 14 (610–770) long. Anchors similar: distal part longer than proximal part; distal and proximal parts form obtuse angle; inner length of proximal part larger than outer; distal part with long, straight shaft and short point, with latter at right angle. Ventral anchor: inner length 40 ± 0.3 (39–42), length of distal part 26.5 ± 0.1 (26–27), length of shafts 25.5 ± 0.1 (25–26), length of points 8, inner length of proximal part 22.5 ± 0.3 (21–24), outer length of proximal part 18.5 ± 0.2 (17–19) and span between roots 14 ± 0.2 (13–15). Dorsal anchor: inner length – 38 ± 0.3 (36–40), length of distal part– 24.5 ± 0.1 (24–25); length of shafts – 24 ± 0.2 (23–25); length of points – 7; inner length of proximal part – 21 ± 0.3 (20–23); outer length of proximal part – 15.5 ± 0.2 (11–13) and span between roots – 12 ± 0.2 (11–13). Marginal hooks 13 long. Dorsal bar 5.5 ± 0.1 (5–6) high, 47.5 ± 1.2 (43–57) wide, equal in height along its entire width, slightly bowed, with down-turned ends. Ventral bar, 10 ± 0.4 (7–12) high, 48 ± 1.5 (45–60) wide, with 2 digitiform anterior processes, 6.5 ± 0.2 (6–8) long, set quite far apart, span between them 6.5 ± 0.3 (5–8); ventral side with 2 narrow, wing-shaped laminae attached to each anterior process; median knoll, with flat or occasionally prominent anterior margin, situated between laminae. Male copulatory organ consists of copulatory tube, with expanded base, and accessory piece, latter not articulated with other parts of MCO. Copulatory tube 2 wide, 43 ± 0.5 (40–45) long; expanded base bipartite. Accessory piece 3 ± 0.1 (3–4) wide, 21.5 ± 0.5 (20–23) long, undivided, simple, with straight, flattened gutter with slightly turned-in or thickened walls. Muscular sheath surrounds copulatory tube and attaches to proximal end of accessory piece. Vagina not described.

Bibliography

First published in

Dmitrieva E. V., Gerasev P. I., Gibson D. I., Pronkina N. V., Galli P. 2012. Descriptions of eight new species of Ligophorus Euzet & Suriano, 1977 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from Red Sea mullets. Systematic Parasitology, 81, P. 203–237.

Specimens in collection