Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite (Diclidophora merlangi) that infects Twobar Seabream Fish (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia
Alojayri, G.; Al Quraishy, S.; Al-Shaebi, E.; Mohammed, O.B.; Abdel-Gaber, R. (2024). Morphological and genetic identification of the gill monogenean parasite (Diclidophora merlangi) that infects Twobar Seabream Fish (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. Helminthologia (Tlacené vyd.) 61(2): 184-193. https://dx.doi.org/10.2478/helm-2024-0012
In: Helminthologia = Helminthology = Tlacené vydanie. Slovak Academic Press: Bratislava. ISSN 0440-6605; e-ISSN 1336-9083, more
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| Keyword |
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| Author keywords |
Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea, morphology, host identity, 28S rRNA, COI |
| Authors | | Top |
- Alojayri, G.
- Al Quraishy, S.
- Al-Shaebi, E.
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- Mohammed, O.B.
- Abdel-Gaber, R.
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| Abstract |
Ectoparasites, particularly monogeneans, negatively affect fi sh health and growth. This study identi?fi ed monogenean parasites in the twobar seabream, Acanthopagrus bifasciatus (Sparidae), inhabit?ed the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia). Following that, forty A. bifasciatus fish samples were visually ex?amined for monogeneans. Parasite species were collected from the gills and then analyzed morpho?metrically, morphologically, and molecularly using the partial regions of the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. Fish species were also identifi ed using a DNA barcoding approach based on the COI gene. The monogenean species of Diclidophora merlangi (Diclidophoridae) were found in 45% of the fi sh species studied. The ge?neric features of the Diclidophora genus distinguish this species. This species discriminated itself from congeners by having a muscular bulb with 17 grooved and recurved hooks, 218±10 (184-267) post-ovarian testes, and four pairs of pedunculated clamps of relative sizes. Partial 28S rRNA se?quencing from monogeneans revealed that they grouped with members of the genus Diclidophora, forming a monophyletic group that supported the morphological descriptions. Molecular identifi cation revealed that D. merlangi has a unique barcode made up of a COI sequence. The host identity was established as A. bifasciatus based on the COI gene sequences. Furthermore, a molecular phyloge?netic study was performed to determine the phylogenetic affi nity of parasite species and fish hosts. This study on Diclidophora species is considered the fi rst record of this genus in the examined area. |
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