Monogeneans (Dactylogyridae) from the gills of African tetras (Characiformes: Alestidae) in Kenya and Zimbabwe
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The Alestidae, often called African characids (or tetras), is the most speciose (with about 120 species) family of characiform fishes in Africa. These fish hosts are known to harbor monogeneans representing 3 genera of the Dactylogyridae, namely Afrocleidodiscus Annulotrema and Characidotrema. Current evidence based on morphological data suggests that species of the two last genera have evolutionary relationships with species parasitizing Neotropical characiform fishes, i.e. those of Annulotrematoides and Jainus, respectively. During several field campaigns (2005 – 2012) in Kenya, Senegal, Sudan and Zimbabwe, a total of 15 species of the Alestidae have been examined for monogeneans and more than 30 species (3 genera) of the Dactylogyridae were found. Our current research deals with the taxonomic evaluation of monogeneans collected in Turkana Lake (Kenya) and Kariba Lake and Zambezi River (Zimbabwe). Examination of the material from Kenya revealed the presence of 8 species of Annulotrema on the gills of 4 species (3 genera, i.e. Alestes, Brycinus and Hydrocynus) of the Alestidae. Two species, namely Annulotrema besalis and A. nili, represent previously described taxa and other 6 species are probably new for science. Investigation of monogeneans found on the gills of 2 alestid species (2 genera, i.e. Brycinus and Hydrocynus) from Zimbabwe showed the presence of 6 species of Annulotrema and 1 species of Afrocleidodiscus. Morphological analysis of sclerotized structures of the Annulotrema species found in the two regions suggests that there are at least 3 groups within the dactylogyrids parasitizing these fishes, with regard to the basic structure of the male copulatory organ (MCO). The first group includes 5 species; the second group contain 2 species; the third group consists of 3 species. The shared characters mentioned above may indicate a close relationship among the respective Annulotrema spp. |
| Related projects: |