The biology of Leptocotyle minor, a skin parasite of the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula

Abstract

Leptocotyle minor is a monogenean parasite specialized for living on the denticlecovered skin of the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. Each adult parasite attaches itself to the outer surface of a single denticle. Small postlarvae are found on the inner surfaces of the denticles. The denticles have hard enamel on both inner and outer exposed surfaces. Haptoral hooks, such as are present in other monogenean oncomiracidia, would be unable to penetrate this hard surface and are absent in postlarval and adult parasites which attach themselves by cement. The oncomiracidium possesses six haptoral spicules which may be homologues of the marginal hooks of other monogeneans, but these spicules disappear early in postoncomiracidial development.Adult parasites feed on the host's epidermis which lies between the denticles. The position of small postlarvae on the inner surfaces of the denticles enables them to reach the epidermis for feeding purposes. Growth then permits young parasites to migrate away from the epidermis on to the outer surfaces of the denticles.Adult parasites move from one denticle to another in a leech-like manner, and copulation occurs between parasites which meet as a result of these movements.I am grateful to the Director and Staff of the Plymouth Laboratory for their hospitality and particularly to Mr J. E. Green for his interest and co-operation.