A Monogenean Gill Parasite within the Genus (Ancyrocephalidae) Infecting Fish: Morphology and Molecular Studies.

Due to the presence of different parasite taxa and other disease-causing agents, all fish species are extremely prone to dangers. As a result, the current study focused on some of the monogenean parasites that infect one of the economically important fish species, the soldier bream , from the Red Sea coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Following that, thirty fish specimens were examined for monogenean parasites. The parasitic species were isolated and morphologically and molecularly studied. The presence of one monogenean species of (F: Ancyrocephalidae) infecting gills was observed in 50% of the investigated fish species. The ancyrocephalid species is characterized by having all generic features within the genus . It could be distinguished from other species within this genus by the male copulatory organ including a copulatory tube with no accessory piece and a haptor made up of two pairs of anchors, two bars, and seven pairs of marginal hooks. As ectoparasitic taxa of the investigated sparid fish, the current study of species constitutes the first report of this genus. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the partial gene region was analyzed to investigate the phylogenetic affinity of this parasite with the genus belonging to Ancyrocephalidae. This study considers the addition of a new genetic sequence for this parasite species.