Benedeniine capsalid monogeneans from Australian fishes: pathogenic species, site-specificity and camouflage.

Abstract

There are about 70 species of capsalid monogeneans in the Benedeniinae worldwide but only about half are described from the diverse fish fauna in the Pacific Ocean. Up to 1992, only five species of benedeniines were known from Australia. Two potentially destructive species of benedeniines, Benedenia seriolae from Seriola lalandi and B. sciaenae from Argyrosomus hololepidotus from temperate Australian waters, are new host and geographic records for these monogeneans. A survey of some fishes from the Great Barrier Reef has revealed at least 15 undescribed species of benedeniines in addition to three species which have been described recently (B. lutjani, B. rohdei and Metabenedeniella parva). The few previous records for benedeniines from Australian fishes are probably the result of three factors. First, there have been relatively few careful studies of the external surfaces of fishes from Australia for monogeneans. Second, some benedeniines display a previously unsuspected specificity for particular external microhabitats on their hosts such as specific fins or sites previously unrecognized as microhabitats for monogeneans on the head of some species of fishes such as lip folds and branchiostegal membranes. Third, some benedeniines on the flanks and fins of some fish are extremely difficult to see because they are transparent and/or possess pigment spots throughout the body. Sometimes, benedeniines from colourful species of reef fish bear bright colours in their bodies. It is highly likely that these features serve as camouflage to conceal the parasites from predators such as cleaner organisms.