Microcotyle sebastis [Microcotyle sebastis]
Description
Microcotyle sebastis is a species of monogenean, parasitic on the gills of a marine fish, it belongs to the family Microcotylidae. The species infects a variety of fishes in the sea. It is characterized by a body elongated, comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the haptor. The haptor is symmetrical and bears a number of clamps, arranged as two rows, one on each side. The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the gill of the fish. There are also two buccal suckers at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a pharynx, an esophagus and a posterior intestine with two lateral branches provided 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
|