First Japanese Record of Argulus nobilis (Crustacea: Branchiura: Argulidae), an Ectoparasite of Gars of North American Origin

Abstract

Argulus nobilis Thiele, 1904 is an ectoparasite of gars (Lepisosteidae) in the U.S.A. Five female specimens of A. nobilis were found in the collection of the Lake Biwa Museum, Japan. This is the first record of the species from Japan and outside the U.S.A. The specimens were collected from an unidentified gar and shortnose gar, Lepisosteus platostomus Rafinesque, 1820. Based on a detailed examination of the specimens, the adult female of A. nobilis is redescribed. The finding from shortnose gar represents a new host record for this parasite. The specimens of A. nobilis were collected in 1992, and it is unknown whether they were taken from gars soon after imported from the U.S.A. or those that had been held in Japan.