Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Chauhanellus Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1969 (Monogenoidea) parasitizing marine catfish (Ariidae) from the Atlantic coast of South America: a new species, supplementary taxonomic information and new insights.

Abstract

In this study, a new dactylogyrid species is described from the gills of two ariid fish species of the Brazilian coast, Genidens barbus and Genidens genidens, by combining morphological characters with partial 18S rDNA sequences. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following morphological characteristics: a male copulatory organ (MCO), a coiled tubular shaft of around one counterclockwise ring, base with a sclerotized cap; MCO with tapered distal region; a T-shaped accessory piece; a vagina, a cup-shaped vaginal vestibule, slightly sclerotized; and a pharynx comprising a muscular, glandular bulb. Supplementary taxonomic data for Chauhanellus velum from Sciades couma (type-host) are also presented and new 18S rDNA sequences of Chauhanellus spp. from other ariid fish from South America are provided. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial 18S rDNA gene sequences placed Chauhanellus riograndinensis n. sp. and Chauhanellus velum as two early divergent lineages within Chauhanellus from South America. Finally, a way to test the monophyly of Chauhanellus and Hamatopeduncularia is also discussed, which may be useful for future studies.