Microcotyle donavini is a species of monogenean, parasitic on the gills of a marine fish. It belongs to the family Microcotylidae.

Microcotyle donavini
Microcotyle donavini, body and various parts [1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Monogenea
Order: Mazocraeidea
Family: Microcotylidae
Genus: Microcotyle
Species:
M. donavini
Binomial name
Microcotyle donavini
Van Beneden & Hesse, 1863

Taxonomy edit

Microcotyle donavini was described by Van Beneden & Hesse in 1863.[2] This species was redescribed by Scott (1905) who gave one figure [3] and by Euzet & Marc in 1963, one hundred years later.[1]

Microcotyle donavini is the type-species of the genus Microcotyle. Unnithan (1971) placed M. donavini in the nominal subgenus Microcotyle as Microcotyle (Microcotyle) donavini.[4] However, this species was returned to the genus Microcotyle by Mamaev in 1986. [5]

Morphology edit

Microcotyle donavini has the general morphology of all species of Microcotyle, with a symmetrical body, comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the haptor. The haptor is symmetrical, and bears 86 clamps, arranged as two rows, one on each side. The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the gill of the fish. There are also two buccal oval suckers, septated, located at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a pharynx, an oesophagus and a posterior intestine with two lateral branches provided with numerous secondary branches. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. The reproductive organs include an anterior oval genital atrium, armed with numerous small spines, a medio-dorsal vagina opening at 750 µm from the anterior extremity, a single ovary and 18-22 oval testes which are posterior to the ovary. The eggs are fusiform, with a filament at each pole; one is short and thick. [1]

Hosts and localities edit

 
Labrus bergylta is the type host of Microcotyle donavini

The host-type is Labrus bergylta. The type-locality is off Brest, France.[2]

Gallery edit

Drawings of various organs or stages of Microcotyle donavini, by Euzet & Marc, 1963.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Euzet, Louis; Marc, Annie (1963). "Microcotyle donavini Van Beneden et Hesse 1863 espèce type du genre Microcotyle Van Beneden et Hesse 1863". Annales de Parasitologie Humaine et Comparée. 38 (6): 875–886. doi:10.1051/parasite/1963386875. ISSN 0003-4150.  
  2. ^ a b Van Beneden, P. J., & Hesse, C. E. (1863). Recherches sur les Bdellodes (Hirudinées) et les trématodes marins: Mémoire présenté à l'Académie Royale de Belgique. Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, 34, 1-150 + Plates.
  3. ^ Scott (T.), 1905. — Observations on some parasites new or rare in Scottish waters. 23, rd. Rep. Fish. Bd. Scot. (3) Sci. Invest. p. 108-119 fig.
  4. ^ Unnithan, R. V. (1971). On the functional morphology of a new fauna of Monogenoidea on fishes from Trivandrum and environs. Part IV. Microcotylidae sensu stricto and its repartition into subsidiary taxa. American Midland Naturalist, 366-398.
  5. ^ Mamaev, Y. L. (1986). The taxonomical composition of the family Microcotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 (Monogenea). Folia Parasitologica, 33, 199-206. PDF