Microcotyle pomatomi [Microcotyle pomatomi]
Description
Microcotyle pomatomi is a species of monogenean, parasitic on the gills of a marine fish. It belongs to the family Microcotylidae. This species primarily infects the gills of pomatomus saltatrix (Bluefish). It is characterized by a slender body with an anterior part containing most organs and a posterior part known as the haptor. The haptor has a symmetrical arrangement of clamps which it uses to attach to the gill of the host fish. There are also two buccal suckers located at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs consist of an anterior, terminal mouth, a pharynx, an esophagus, and a posterior intestine with two lateral branches filled with numerous secondary branches. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. The reproductive organs include an anterior genital atrium, armed with numerous very spined hooklets, a medio-dorsal vagina, a single ovary and a number of testes which are posterior to the ovary.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Flatworms
Platyhelminthes
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Monogenea
Monogenea
|
| Order |
Mazocraeidea
Mazocraeidea
|
| Family |
Microcotylidae
Microcotylidae
|
| Genus |
Microcotyle
Microcotyle
|