Integrative Taxonomy of spp. (Monopisthocotyla: Dactylogyridae) Parasites of the Gills of Freshwater Fishes from the Caatinga Domain, Brazil.

is a common genus of Neotropical monopisthocotylans; however, information on its diversity and phylogeny remains limited. In this study, we describe four new species of parasitizing the gills of (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) from a weir in the state of Ceará, Brazil. n. sp. and n. sp. are characterized by a dextro-ventral vaginal pore and a Y-shaped dorsal bar. Notably, n. sp. is the first species in the genus to possess a male copulatory organ (MCO) with multiple rings (16 to 18). In contrast, n. sp. and n. sp. are distinguished by a sinistral vaginal pore, a sclerotized MCO in the form of a coiled tube with slightly more than one clockwise ring, and an accessory piece that is non-articulated with the base of the MCO. However, n. sp. is unique in lacking a dorsal bar. Sequences of the LSU rDNA obtained from seven species of parasitizing and , along with published sequences of other Dactylogyridae members, were included in the molecular analyses. Phylogenetic reconstructions supported the monophyly of .