Ligophorus pilengas n. sp. (monogenea: ancyrocephalidae) from the introduced so-iuy mullet, mugil soiuy (teleostei: mugilidae), in the sea of Azov and the Black sea

The monogenean Ligophorus chabaudi was originally described on the gills of the flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, and was subsequently reported on the So-iuy mullet, Mugil soiuy. However, the morphology of sclerotized parts and multivariate statistical analyses suggest that the form from the So-iuy mullet represents a new species. This study provides a description of the new species Ligophorus pilengas n. sp. and provides additional morphological data concerning the morphology of the ventral bar that might be useful for the diagnosis of Ligophorus. Ligophorus pilengas n. sp. is the second species of Ligophorus reported on the So-iuy mullet. Zoogeographical records indicate that L. pilengas n. sp. was probably introduced to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov from the western Pacific Ocean together with its host.Balbuena Diaz-Pines, Juan Antonio, [email protected]

Taxonomic revision of the Atlantic and Pacific species of Ligophorus (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) from mullets (Teleostei, Mugilidae) with the proposal of a new genus and description of four new species.

A revision of the Atlantic and Pacific species of Ligophorus Euzet et Suriano, 1977 based on abundant newly sampled material from mugilids of the Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Japan and South China Sea, as well as available type and voucher specimens, is presented. All 35 nominal species of Ligophorus known from the Atlantic and the Pacific waters are treated. Of them, 30 are considered valid, one incertae sedis (L. leporinus), one species inquirendae (L. chongmingensis), two junior synonyms (L. euzeti and L. gussevi) and one is transferred to another genus. Three new species of Ligophorus are described: L. triangularis, L. miroshnichenki, and L. rectus. An amended diagnosis of Ligophorus is given with critical comments on previous definition of key features of the genus. Description of the main morphological types for the copulatory organ, the accessory piece of the copulatory complex, the distal end of the vagina, the ventral bar and anchors are provided. The taxonomic importance of sclerotized parts is discussed in relation with their functional morphology. For each species, previous and present records on host and geographic distribution were compiled. A new genus of Dactylogyridae Kriboetrema is proposed for species morphologically similar to Ligophorus spp., but which differ from the latter in having a large dorsoventrally flattened body, a coiled copulatory organ with a bulbous base, two prostatic reservoirs, a subovate or piryform ovary and inconspicuous or poorly developed lateral flaps of the haptor. Two species are proposed for allocation within the new genus, K. ellochelon comb. n. and K. rectangulus sp. n., from Liza vaigiensis and Valamugil cunnesius, respectively, in the Pacific. A key to genera and valid species in the surveyed regions is provided