Description of Afrogyrodactylus ardae sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from Rhabdalestes septentrionalis (Characiformes: Alestidae) in the Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

Abstract

The monogenean, Afrogyrodactylus ardae sp. n., is described from the African tetra, Rhadbalestes septentrionalis (Characiformes: Alestidae), collected from the Niokolo Koba and Gambie Rivers in the Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal during 2008. The newly described species can be differentiated from three known species of the genus based on the dimensions of its opisthaptoral hard parts, having the smallest ones, and based on the shape of the marginal hooks sickle. The present finding represents a new host record for the genus Afrogyrodactylus.