Spirocamallanus species of French Polynesian coral reef fishes

Abstract

Spirocamallanus monotaxis is redescribed from Monotaxis grandoculis (Lethrinidae) and reported from 10 other species of coral reef associated fishes from both the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Islands. This represents a new locality for S. monotaxis and 10 new host records. Spirocamallanus colei n.sp. is described from Acanthurus achilles (Acanthuridae) and from Acanthurus guttatus, Acanthurus lineatus, Acanthurus triostegus, and Zebrasoma scopas from both the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Islands. Spirocamallanus chaimha n.sp. is described from Ctenochaetus striatus and Acanthurus olivaceous (Acanthuridae) from Moorea in the Society Islands. The number of buccal capsule ridges in Spirocamallanus varies and minor differences have no taxonomic importance. Marine Spirocamallanus species appear to belong to a single clade characterized by 3 preanal papillae and 5 postanal papillae. This clade may be subdivided on the basis of the shape of the female tail. In French Polynesia, ecological factors as opposed to phylogenetic factors appear to determine host specificity for Spirocamallanus. A new system of reporting the positions of the caudal papillae, based on the position of the papillae relative to the length of the alae, is used.