Abstract
Gyrodactylus pleuronecti n. sp. is described from the fins, body surface, and gills of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) held in saltwater tanks at the Marine Sciences Research Laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Gyrodactylus pleuronecti n. sp. resembles G. avalonia Hanek and Threlfall, 1969, G. errabundus Malmberg, 1970, G. grönlandicus Levinsen, 1881, G. gymneli Zhukov, 1960, G. nainum Hanek and Threlfall, 1970, G. perlucidus Bychowsky and Poljansky, 1953, and G. pharyngicus Malmberg, 1964, in having a short hamulus root, a ventral bar with prominent anterolateral projections, and a posteriorly directed ventral membrane that tapers to a rounded extremity. However, compared with the similar species, G. pleuronecti n. sp. has relatively long hamuli (55 to 59 μm) but short marginal hooklets (27 to 29 μm). It also has a very well-developed ventral bar, which includes a comparatively long posteriorly directed ventral membrane (26 to 30 μm) of unique shape. The species description of G. pleuronecti n. sp. includes the digestive and reproductive organs but these systems proved to be similar to those of many gyrodactylids.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics