Three Poorly Known and Rarely Reported Bucephalid Species (Digenea) in Fishes from the Western Mediterranean

Abstract

Three poorly known bucephalid species are described from off Corsica, in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Bucephalus gorgon (Linton, 1905) (syn. B. introversus Manter, 1940) from Seriola dumerili is reported for only the third time in the Mediterranean Sea. Prosorhynchoides arcuatus (Linton, 1900) from Sarda sarda is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. P. tergestinum (Stossich, 1883) n. comb. (originally in Gasterostomum von Siebold 1848; has also been in Bucephalopsis Diesing, 1855 and Bucephalus von Baer, 1827) from Gobius geniporus is reported for only the second time.

Bucephaline digeneans (Bucephalidae) in Sphyraena putnamae Jordan & Seale (Sphyraenidae) from the lagoon off New Caledonia

“…These specimens appear to be very similar to those described as Rhipidocotyle longicirrus (Nagaty, 1937) from the greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso) (Carangidae) in the Mediterranean Sea by Bartoli & Bray (2005). Reconsideration of the status of this species, utilising criteria in an adapted visual key to the genus (see Bray & Palm, 2009), we are beginning to doubt the conspecificity of the worms from S. dumerili with those originally described as Bucephalopsis longicirrus Nagaty, 1937 from the agam [listed as Sphyraena agam Rüppel; now S. barracuda (Edwards)] from the Red Sea.…”

“…Reconsideration of the status of this species, utilising criteria in an adapted visual key to the genus (see Bray & Palm, 2009), we are beginning to doubt the conspecificity of the worms from S. dumerili with those originally described as Bucephalopsis longicirrus Nagaty, 1937 from the agam [listed as Sphyraena agam Rüppel; now S. barracuda (Edwards)] from the Red Sea. Comparison with Bartoli & Bray's (2005) description and our new data show the width, pre-uterine distance, pre-oral distance and cirrus-sac reach are key distinguishing features (Table 3). Previtelline distance, post-testicular distance and egg size also appear fairly distinct.…”

“…Syns Rhipidocotyle longicirrus (Nagaty, 1937) of Bartoli & Bray (2005); possibly Bucephalopsis arcuatus (Linton, 1900) of Manter (1940) anteriorly, with ventral aperture; hood wrinkled, but with no signs of regular lobation. Mouth at level of ovary, inside posterior half of body.…”

“…We have, therefore, suggested a new name for this form. As Bartoli & Bray (2005) pointed out, some of the records of Bucephalopsis arcuatus (Linton, 1900) appear to be indistinguishable from their 'Rhipidocotyle longicirrus'. Manter (1940) illustrated a similar worm under the name Bucephalopsis arcuatus, which he found to be common in the great barracuda S. barracuda (Edwards) (Sphyraenidae) off the Tortugas, Florida: we think that it may be conspecific with our specimens.…”

“…Nahhas & Cable (1964) reported Bucephalopsis longicirrus from S. barracuda off Curaçao and Jamaica, confirming the distinction between B. arcuatus and B. longicirrus. Hutson et al (2007) reported Rhipidocotyle longicirrus from the yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi Valenciennes (Carangidae) off New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, basing their identification on Bartoli & Bray's (2005) description.…”