Neotropical Monogenoidea. 51. Scutalatus magniancoratus gen. et sp. n. (Gyrodactylidae) from the South‐American electric eel, Electrophorus electricus (Gymnotidae, Gymnotiformes), and redescription of Mormyrogyrodactylus gemini from the African bulldog, Marcusenius macrolepidotus (Mormyridae, Osteoglossiformes)

Abstract

Abstract Scutalatus gen. n. is proposed to accommodate S. magniancoratus sp. n. from the body surface of a captive South American electric eel, Electrophorus electricus (Gymnotidae, Gymnotiformes), originally collected from the Amazon region. The new genus is characterized by the presence of a superficial keel on the anchor and a wing‐shape shield on the superficial bar. Mormyrogyrodactylus gemini Luus‐Powell, Mashego & Khalil, 2003 from the African bulldog, Marcusenius macrolepidotus (Mormyridae, Osteoglossiformes) is redescribed based on available type specimens. Contrary to the original description, the superficial bar in this species consists of a single piece, and sclerites R1 and R2 are embedded within the shield. Both species appear to be phylogenetically close and are members of a larger clade of genera with species possessing accessory bars, accessory sclerites and/or hooks distributed in anterior and posterior clusters in the margin of the haptor.