Echinoplectanum rarum is a species of diplectanid monogenean parasitic on the gills of the leopard coralgrouper, Plectropomus leopardus. It has been described in 2006. [1] This species is very rare and represented only 2% of the specimens of Echinoplectanum spp. found in P. leopardus.[1] This species was distinguished from other species of the same genus by its characteristic ring-shaped sclerotised vagina.[1]

Echinoplectanum rarum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Monogenea
Order: Dactylogyridea
Family: Diplectanidae
Genus: Echinoplectanum
Species:
E. rarum
Binomial name
Echinoplectanum rarum
Justine & Euzet, 2006

Etymology

edit

The epithet rarum is Latin for rare.[1]

Hosts and localities

edit
 
The leopard coralgrouper Plectropomus leopardus is the host of Echinoplectanum rarum

The leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus is the type-host of Echinoplectanum rarum. The type-locality is the coral reef off Nouméa, New Caledonia.[1] In New Caledonia, this fish harbours three species of the genus Echinoplectanum, namely E. rarum, E. pudicum and E. leopardi.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f Justine, Jean-Lou; Euzet, Louis (2006). "Diplectanids (Monogenea) parasitic on the gills of the coralgroupers Plectropomus laevis and P. leopardus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia, with the description of five new species and the erection of Echinoplectanum n. g." Systematic Parasitology. 64 (3): 147–172. doi:10.1007/s11230-006-9028-8. ISSN 0165-5752. PMID 16786281.