Pseudorhabdosynochus bacchus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) from Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia

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. © 2007 W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS.