Document of bibliographic reference 396691

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Redescription and Molecular Characterization of the External Attaching Fish Parasitic Cymothoid, Nerocila phaiopleura Bleeker, 1857 (Crustacea: Isopoda) off the Southwest Coast of India

Abstract

Purpose: The identification of the external attaching fish parasitic cymothoid, Nerocila phaiopleura Bleeker 1857, is still based on the brief description of Australian specimens provided by Bruce (1987). The present study aimed to provide a redescription and molecular characterisation of Indian specimens of N. phaiopleuraMaterials and Methods: Morphological identifcation was carried out based on microscopic examinations and taxonomic drawings. mitochondrial DNA cox1 was selected as the target gene for sequencing and molecular identifcation. Nucleotide genetic divergence (p-distance) and base-pair diferences among the diferent species were determined using MEGA11.Results: Nerocila phaiopleura can be well separated from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: Body about 2.4 times as long as wide, cephalon broadly rounded anteriorly; coxae posteriorly directed, acute and extending beyond their corresponding pereonite; pereonite 7 posterior angle produced, extending to the pleonite 1; pleonites 1 and 2 ventrolateral process posteriorly directed; uropod exopod straight and elongate, 1.7–2.0 times longer than endopod; uropod endopod lateral margin not serrate, no notch on medial margin; pereopods with short ischium; pleotelson triangular. The p-distance among N. phaiopleura and other available Nerocila spp. ranged from 21 to 19%.Conclusion: This study represents the frst detailed taxonomic redescription of Indian specimens of N. phaiopleura. Key taxonomic features of the life stages and molecular data are provided here to identify the species properly. Interspecifc genetic divergence between N. phaiopleura and other Nerocila spp. is assessed for the frst time. Studies in cymothoid life histories, genetics, and morphology are necessary to understand one of the least understood parasite families.

Bibliographic citation

Suresh, A.S.; Nair, B.R.P.S.; Mangalathettu, B.T.; Aneesh, P.-T. (2024). Redescription and Molecular Characterization of the External Attaching Fish Parasitic Cymothoid, Nerocila phaiopleura Bleeker, 1857 (Crustacea: Isopoda) off the Southwest Coast of India. Acta Parasitol. 7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11686-024-00870-7

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true