Characteristics of the complete mitochondrial genome of Gerres limbatus (Cuvier, 1830) (Perciformes: Gerreidae).

The saddleback silver-biddy Gerres limbatus (Cuvier 1830) is distributed in Indo-West Pacific Oceans and associated with shallow coastal marine waters and estuaries. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of G. limbatus was firstly documented, which is 16,730 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. The overall base composition of the mitochondrial genome is 26.42% A, 28.68% C, 27.32% T, and 17.58% G. The Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed based on COI gene of the 31 species from the family Gerreidae, with Heteroclinus puellarum and Hypopterus macropterus as outgroups. It revealed that G. erythrourus was placed as the sister group to G. limbatus.

Ceratocolax tavaresi n. sp. (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) parasitic in the Tomtate Grunt Haemulon aurolineatum Cuvier, 1830 (Actinopterygii: Haemulidae) off Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: A new species of the genus Ceratocolax Vervoort, 1965 is described based on specimens collected from the Tomtate grunt Haemulon aurolineatum Cuvier, caught in the coast of Angra dos Reis, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: One hundred specimens of H. aurolineatum were purchased from the local fish market and examined for parasitic copepods. Parasites were fixed and preserved in 80% ethanol. Morphological features of the copepods were examined and drawn using an Olympus BX51 equipped with a drawing tube. RESULTS: Ceratocolax tavaresi n. sp. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters in the adult female: (1) second endopodal segment of leg 3 with one seta, (2) lack of stout spinules along outer margins on rami of legs 2-4, (3) genital somite without flaplike structures, (4) terminal exopodal segment of leg 4 with seven elements; and in the adult male: (1) legs 1 to 4 with 3-segmented rami (except endopod of leg 4), (2) presence of a pair of blunt processes on dorsal surface of the third pedigerous somite, (3) second endopodal segment of leg 3 with one seta. CONCLUSION: The number of species of Ceratocolax reported in the Atlantic Ocean was increased to three, including the new species. This is the forty-second species of copepod found parasitizing haemulid fish in marine waters from the Americas; however, the diversity of parasitic copepods off this continent is still underestimated.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the spotted knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus.

In this study, the mitochondrial genome was sequenced in a new commercial species, spotted knifejaw (O. punctatus), using next-generation sequencing and PCR-based methods. The overall length of the female O. punctatus mitochondrial genome was 16,508 bp. It contained 13 PCGs, 2 r-RNA genes, 22 t-RNA genes, and a displacement loop locus (a control region). The total nucleotide composition was 28.75% A, 25.69% T, 29.70% C, and 15.86% G, with a total A + T content of 54.44%. The results demonstrated that the mitochondrial genome of O. punctatus has a high sequence identity with that of another species of Perciformes. This finding provides a deeper understanding of mitogenomic diversity and evolution in marine fish.

The complete mitogenome of Paralonchurus dumerilii (Perciformes: Sciaenidae).

We herein describe the complete mitochondrial genome of Paralonchurus dumerilii (Sciaenidae) and infer its phylogenetic position within the family. The genome is 16,498 bp long and featured by 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a control region (D-loop). Our phylogenetic analysis suggests a basal position of P. dumerilii as the sister group of the other species of Sciaenidae analyzed.

A New Species of Hatschekiid Copepod (Crustacea: Hatschekiidae) Parasitic on the Porkfish Anisotremus virginicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii: Haemulidae), with Notes on Previously Known Species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 Collected from Actinopterygians off Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Copepods of the genus Hatschekia Poche, 1902 are parasitic on the gills of marine actinopterygians. Currently, about 151 species of this genus have been reported in marine ecosystems and only few occur in South Atlantic Ocean. METHODS: Fifty specimens of A. virginicus from Angra dos Reis, off the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were parasitized by copepods on the gills. Parasites were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological observations were based on light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Hatschekia nagasawai n. sp. can be distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: (1) presence of two pointed processes on the proximal (first) segment of antennule, (2) cephalothorax octagonal to ovoid, (3) absence of processes on the intercoxal sclerite of legs 1 and 2, (4) trunk without lobes at the postero-lateral margins. Other species of Hatschekia and their hosts previously collected off Brazil were analysed and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a representative of the family Hatschekiidae Kabata, 1979 parasitizing a species of Anisotremus. The number of species of Hatschekia reported in the South Atlantic Ocean was increased to five, including the new species; however, the diversity of hatschekiid copepods in this oceanographic region is still underestimated, most likely being higher than what is currently known.

Hidden morphological and structural characteristics in scales of mullid species (Teleostei: Mullidae) using light and scanning electron digital imaging.

The scale morphology of nine Mullidae taxa consisting of three genera and nine species from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman was described and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy from four different body regions. The general scale type in the studied mullid species was ctenoid except in the head region of Mulloidichthys vanicolensis and Parupeneus margaritatus, which had cycloid scales. The scales demonstrated a large focus with the central or centro-posterior position. The large variations of scale morphology were observed for the scales from different body regions of a single species. The shape of focus was in five types with the round type being the most common. In the scales of most examined species, there were 5-6 radii present in the anterior field. No radii exist in the lateral and posterior fields, and the radii orientation was parallel in all the studied species. The rostral margin of scales represented five types among the studied species; waved (M. vanicolensis), smooth in (P. rubescens), dentate (Upeneus doriae), scalloped (U. vittatus), and fluted (U. tragula). The lepidont shape varied among the species from blunt to flat, pointed, tiny, sharp, pointed, triangle, short, and long. The results also showed that the relative scale size has a desirable contribution to separate the examined genera. The scale morphological-based tree was largely consistent with the known systematics of the studied fishes. It was concluded that variation of scale characters has probably taxonomic and even phylogenetic information in both species and genus levels in the studied mullid fishes. However, variation of scale morphology between body regions, as shown in this study, suggests that scale characters should be used cautiously for taxonomic studies of these fishes.

Description of two new species of sandlances, genus Bleekeria (Perciformes, Ammodytidae) from the Andaman Sea (northeastern Indian Ocean).

Two new species of Bleekeria Günther, 1862 are described from specimens collected in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Myanmar during bottom surveys conducted by the R/V Dr Fridtjof Nansen in 2015 and 2018. They are distinguished from each other and from congeners by a combination of morphological and meristic characters as well as fin coloration and genetic variance. Bleekeria albicauda sp. nov. has pelvic fins, 40-41 dorsal-fin rays, 54-55 total vertebrae, no teeth in jaws, 4 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, a single row of about 10 scales on mid-upper part of opercle, scales on central part of body clearly shorter than their height, caudal fin with white upper and lower lobes when fresh (unique within the genus). Bleekeria nigrilinea sp. nov. has no pelvic fins, 37-39 dorsal-fin rays, 49-50 total vertebrae, 2½ scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line (the smallest count within the genus with B. estuaria of Mozambique brackish water), 5-6 scales on mid-upper part of opercle arranged in a single row, scales on central part of body clearly longer than their height, upper and lower margins of caudal fin black when fresh (unique within the genus). The COI gene sequences of the two new species showed clear genetic divergence (pairwise K2P, >10 %) from Bleekeria estuaria Randall Ida, 2014 and Bleekeria mitsukurii (Jordan Evermann, 1902). A key to the species of Bleekeria is provided.

Morphological and molecular analysis of Henneguya lagunensis n. sp. (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) parasitizing the gills of Eugerres brasilianus from Brazil.

Plasmodia containing myxospores belonging to the genus Henneguya Thélohan, 1892 were found in the gills of Eugerres brasilianus (Cuvier, 1830). Despite the economic importance, few parasitological studies have been done with this species. We describe Henneguya lagunensis n. sp. using morphological and molecular data. The mature myxospores were rounded, measuring 29.1 ± 2.2 µm in total length, 8.2 ± 1.0 µm in body length, 7.9 ± 0.2 µm in body width, 20.7 ± 2.4 µm in tail length and 4.8 ± 1.0 µm in thickness. The polar capsules measured 3.3 ± 0.4 in length and 1.7 ± 0.3 µm in width. Polar filaments had 4-5 turns, helical. Phylogenetic analysis showed Henneguya lagunensis n. sp. as a sister species of Henneguya cynoscioni Dyková, Buron, Roumillat and Fiala, 2011, within a clade that contained mostly Henneguya species that parasitize marine fish of the order Perciformes. This is the first report of a species of Henneguya parasitizing Eugerres brasilianus.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the white grouper Epinephelus aeneus (Perciformes, Serranidae) and a comparative analysis with other Serranidae species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the white grouper Epinephelus aeneus, which belongs to the family Serranidae, was determined. The complete mitochondrial genome measured 16,578 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of E. aeneus was typical of vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis conducted using the mitochondrial genomes of 13 related species showed that E. aeneus clustered with other Serranidae species. This mitochondrial genome provides an important resource for addressing taxonomic issues and developing conservation strategies.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Menticirrhus littoralis (Sciaenidae, Perciformes) and its phylogeny.

We describe the mitochondrial genome of the Menticirrhus littoralis and infer the phylogenetic position of Menticirrhus in the family Sciaenidae. The genome contains 16,499 base pairs distributed in gene regions (13 protein-coding regions, 2 rRNAs and 22 tRNAs) and a control region (CR). Our phylogenetic analysis suggests, with strong statistical support, that Menticirrhus is a sister group of the other sciaenids.

The bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus (Bowdich, 1825) (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean Sea) - a late arrival or just a neglected species?

Pomadasys incisus is a thermophilous coastal subtropical fish species belonging to the family Haemulidae. Originally described from Gambia, this species is widely distributed in the Eastern Atlantic from Galicia to South Africa. It has also been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea since 1840, presumably expanding its distribution in the next decades, although the species could have been already present in the basin, but simply overlooked until the mid XIX century. In this study, we first record P. incisus from Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean Sea), based on two opportunistic observations obtained through a citizen-science project and review the distribution of this species in the Mediterranean Sea. The present sighting raises the question on whether this species is a late arrival in the country or its presence has just been neglected until now. Based on present data, the most likely hypothesis is the latter one, with P. incisus occurring in low densities and being overlooked due to the absence of field studies. Whatever is true, some intrinsic or extrinsic factors may have played a role in limiting its spread or wide establishment in the above-mentioned country.

Sphyraena stellata, a new barracuda from the Indo-Pacific, with redescriptions of S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860 (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae).

A new barracuda, Sphyraena stellata, is described on the basis of 41 specimens [98.0-587.0 mm standard length (SL)] collected from the Indo-Pacific. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: one gill raker on first gill arch; pelvic-fin insertion located slightly before vertical through first dorsal-fin origin; pored lateral-line scales 134-141 (modally 137), total lateral-line scales 139-148 (146); scales above and below lateral line 15-17 (15) and 14-16 (15), respectively; snout comparatively short, its length 13.6-15.8 (mean 14.4) % SL; upper jaw short, its posterior tip not reaching to below anterior nostril, its length 10.0-12.2 (10.8) % SL; eye small, orbit diameter and depth 4.3-7.0 (4.9) and 3.9-5.6 (4.5) % SL, respectively; anal-fin base shortish, its length 6.9-8.1 (7.5) % SL; last dorsal- and anal-fin ray lengths 4.0-5.6 (4.7) and 3.6-5.6 (4.6) % SL, respectively; anus not close to anal-fin origin, anterior and posterior margins of former to anal-fin origin 7.5-11.9 (9.9) and 5.2-8.3 (6.8) % of head length, respectively; head sensory canal pores on suborbital area simple or slightly branched, their lowermost parts not close to margin of lacrimal bone, large smooth area lacking canal pores on mid-margin of lacrimal bone; two yellow stripes on lateral surface of body (remaining as black stripes in preserved specimens); and caudal fin gray. In addition, S. helleri Jenkins, 1901 and S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, both being closely related to the new species, are redescribed on the basis of 4 (243.3-545.8 mm SL) and 15 (270.8-598.0 mm SL) specimens, including holotypes, respectively, with new diagnostic characters proposed for both species.

Redescription of the serranid perchlet Chelidoperca pleurospilus (Günther, 1880).

Chelidoperca pleurospilus (Günther, 1880) (Perciformes: Serranidae) is redescribed on the basis of the lectotype (designated herein) and 69 non-type specimens from the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans, ranging from the Andaman Sea east to New Caledonia, and northwestern Australia north to Japan. Literature records of the species from the Red Sea and Madagascar are considered applicable to Chelidoperca occipitalis Kotthaus 1973. Chelidoperca pleurospilus is characterized by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 14-16 (modally 15); pored lateral-line scales 40-43 (43); scale rows in longitudinal series 42-47 (44); scale rows between lateral line and base of 6th dorsal-fin spine 4 (3 full-sized scales plus 1 half-sized); interorbital scales reaching mid-orbit level, not extending beyond anterior margin of orbit; scales on lower jaw ventral surface restricted to angular, not extending anteriorly onto dentary; posterior tip of upper caudal-fin lobe slightly elongate with rounded or pointed contour, that of lower lobe not elongate, with rounded or truncate contour; longitudinal row of ca. 5 dark, laterally elongate blotches (more-or-less continuous in small specimens <60 mm SL) along mid-body from behind head to caudal-fin base. The species is compared with its congeners, and morphological changes with growth in the former discussed in detail.

Parapercis annamalai sp. nov., a new sandperch from southwestern India (Family Pinguipedidiae).

A new sandperch is described from 3 specimens from off Parangipettai, southeastern India. It can be separated from its congeners in having a combination of dorsal-fin rays V, 21‒22; anal-fin rays I, 17‒18; pectoral-fin rays 17‒18; pored lateral-line scales 53‒54; median predorsal scales 7; transverse scale rows 4/13; gill rakers on 1st gill arch 15‒17; single row of stout teeth on vomer; no teeth on palatine; 3 pairs of enlarged canines at front of lower jaw; opercle uniformly dark brownish; blade-like patch on cheek, the patch orange dorsally and reddish ventrally, fading entirely in preservative; dorsal fins light grayish with 2 rows of spots; a whitish longitudinal band just above lateral axis of body; dorsal surface of body with 8 irregular blackish saddles and lower half with 7 reddish bars and black dots on upper half of each bar; lower half of anal fin reddish; caudal fin grayish with upper and lower portion darker and vertical rows of orange dots on yellowish bands. The new species is most similar to Parapercis somaliensis and Parapercis kentingensis morphologically and genetically, but differs in coloration, serrations on the opercle, and body proportions. The establishment of the new species is also supported by DNA barcoding analysis.

New records of Philometra spp. (Nematoda: Philometridae) from marine perciform fishes off Florida, USA, including descriptions of two new species.

Recent examinations of marine perciform fishes from off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida, USA, revealed the presence of the following six species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae): P. haemulontis sp. n. (males and females) from the ovary of Haemulon plumierii (Lacepède) (type host) and H. aurolineatum Cuvier (both Haemulidae); Philometra synagridis Moravec, Bakenhaster et Fajer-Ávila, 2014 (males and females) from the ovary and testes of Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus) (Lutjanidae); P. margolisi Moravec, Vidal-Martínez et Aguirre-Macedo, 1995 (male) from the ovary of Hyporthodus nigritus (Holbrook) (Serranidae) (new host record; probably a paradefinitive host); P. andersoni sp. n. (male) from the ovary of H. nigritus; Philometra sp. 1 (male) from the ovary of Rhomboplites aurorubens (Cuvier) (Lutjanidae); and Philometra sp. 2 (females) from the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior-most head sinuses of Hyporthodus niveatus (Valenciennes) (Serranidae). Specimens of species are described and illustrated based on light and (except for Philometra sp. 1) scanning electron microscopical examinations. Philometra haemulontis sp. n. differs from all congeners in the unique structure of the gubernaculum, whereas P. andersoni sp. n. can be differentiated from other gonad-infecting congeners parasitising the Serranidae by a combination of morphological features. Females of P. synagridis are described for the first time. Gravid females of Philometra sp. 2 are similar to those of P. morii Moravec, Bakenhaster et Fajer-Ávila, 2010, a subcutaneous parasite of Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes) (Serranidae) in the Gulf of Mexico.

New records of cucullanid nematodes from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of five new species of Cucullanus (Nematoda, Cucullanidae).

Recent examinations of cucullanid nematodes (Cucullanidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, collected in the years 2004-2009, revealed the presence of the following five new species of Cucullanus Müller, 1777, all parasitic in Perciformes: Cucullanus variolae n. sp. from Variola louti (type host) and V. albimarginata (both Serranidae); Cucullanus acutospiculatus n. sp. from Caesio cuning (Caesionidae); Cucullanus diagrammae n. sp. from Diagramma pictum (Haemulidae); Cucullanus parapercidis n. sp. from Parapercis xanthozona (type host) and P. hexophtalma (both Pinguipedidae); and Cucullanus petterae n. sp. from Epinephelus merra (type host) and E. fasciatus (both Serranidae). An additional congeneric species, Cucullanus bioccai Orecchia et Paggi, 1987 was recorded from Mugil cephalus (Mugilidae, Mugiliformes) (first record in the Pacific Ocean) and Cucullanus sp. (only female) was found in Arothron manilensis (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes). Furthermore, two known cucullanid species, Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) branchiostegi (Yamaguti, 1941) in Branchiostegus wardi (Malacanthidae, Perciformes) (new host and geographical records) and Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani Moravec et Justine, 2019 in Bodianus busellatus (new host) and B. perditio (both Labridae, Perciformes), were found; Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) sp. (only females) coinfecting the latter host may represent an unknown species. Most species are described based on light and electron microscopical studies. The specimens described by Xu et al., 2017 as Cucullanus bourdini Petter et Le Bel, 1992 from Caesio xanthonota (Caesionidae) in the Taiwan Strait are considered to represent a new species, for which the name Cucullanus sinensis n. sp. is proposed.

TITLE: Nouvelles mentions de nématodes Cucullanidae de poissons marins de Nouvelle-Calédonie, avec description de cinq nouvelles espèces de Cucullanus (Nematoda, Cucullanidae). ABSTRACT: L'étude récente de nématodes Cucullanidae de poissons marins du large de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, collectés dans les années 2004-2009, a révélé la présence des cinq nouvelles espèces suivantes de Cucullanus Müller, 1777, toutes parasites de Perciformes : Cucullanus variolae n. sp. de Variola louti (hôte type) et V. albimarginata (tous deux Serranidae) ; Cucullanus acutospiculatus n. sp. de Caesio cuning (Caesionidae) ; Cucullanus diagrammae n. sp. de Diagramma pictum (Haemulidae) ; Cucullanus parapercidis n. sp. de Parapercis xanthozona (hôte type) et P. hexophtalma (tous deux Pinguipedidae) ; et Cucullanus petterae n. sp. d'Epinephelus merra (type hôte) et E. fasciatus (tous deux Serranidae). Une autre espèce congénérique, Cucullanus bioccai Orecchia et Paggi, 1987 est signalée chez Mugil cephalus (Mugilidae, Mugiliformes) (première mention dans l'océan Pacifique) et Cucullanus sp. (seulement femelle) a été trouvé chez Arothron manilensis (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes). De plus, deux espèces de Cucullanidae connues, Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) branchiostegi (Yamaguti, 1941) chez Branchiostegus wardi (Malacanthidae, Perciformes) (nouvel hôte et nouvelle mention géographique) et Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani Moravec et Justine, 2019 chez Bodianus busellatus (nouvel hôte) et B. perditio (tous deux Labridae, Perciformes), ont été trouvées ; Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) sp. (seulement femelles) co-infectant ce dernier hôte peut représenter une espèce inconnue. La plupart des espèces sont décrites sur la base d'études au microscope optique et électronique. Les spécimens décrits par Xu et al., 2017 comme Cucullanus bourdini Petter et Le Bel, 1992 chez Caesio xanthonota (Caesionidae) dans le détroit de Taiwan sont considérés comme représentant une nouvelle espèce, pour laquelle le nom Cucullanus sinensis n. sp. est proposé.

New records of anisakid nematodes from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of five new species of Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) (Nematoda, Anisakidae).

Recent examinations of anisakid nematodes (Anisakidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, collected in the years 2003-2008, revealed the presence of the following five new species of Raphidascaris Railliet et Henry, 1915, all belonging to the subgenus Ichthyascaris Wu, 1949: Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) spinicauda n. sp. from the redbelly yellowtail fusilier Caesio cuning (Caesionidae, Perciformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) fasciati n. sp. from the blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Serranidae, Perciformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) nudicauda n. sp. from the brushtooth lizardfish Saurida undosquamis (Synodontidae, Aulopiformes); Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) euani n. sp. from the Japanese large-eye bream Gymnocranius euanus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes); and Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) elopsis n. sp. from the Hawaiian ladyfish Elops hawaiensis (Elopidae, Elopiformes). An additional two congeneric species, R. (I.) etelidis Moravec et Justine, 2012 and R. (I.) sillagoides (Bruce, 1990) were found in the deep-water red snapper Etelis carbunculus (new host record) and the deepwater longtail red snapper Etelis coruscans (both Lutjanidae, Perciformes), and the silver sillago Sillago sihama (Sillaginidae, Perciformes) (new host and geographical records), respectively. Two unidentified congeneric species, Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 1 from the trumpet emperor Lethrinus miniatus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes) and Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 2 from the white-spotted puffer Arothron hispidus (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes) were recorded. Moreover, two species of Hysterothylacium Ward et Magath, 1917, H. alatum Moravec et Justine, 2015 and H. epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1941), were found in the leopard coralgrouper Plectropomus leopardus (type host) and the highfin grouper Epinephelus maculatus (new host) (both Serranidae, Perciformes), respectively. This is the second finding of H. epinepheli since its original description in Japan 79 years ago. Most species are described based on light and electron microscopical studies.

TITLE: Nouvelles mentions de nématodes anisakidés de poissons marins de Nouvelle-Calédonie, avec description de cinq nouvelles espèces de Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) (Nematoda, Anisakidae). ABSTRACT: L'examen récent de nématodes Anisakidae de poissons marins de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, collectés dans les années 2003­2008, a révélé la présence des cinq nouvelles espèces de Raphidascaris Railliet et Henry, 1915, toutes appartenant au sous-genre Ichthyascaris Wu, 1949 : Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) spinicauda n. sp. chez le fusilier Caesio cuning (Caesionidae, Perciformes) ; Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) fasciati n. sp. chez la loche Epinephelus fasciatus (Serranidae, Perciformes) ; Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) nudicauda n. sp. chez le poisson-lézard Saurida undosquamis (Synodontidae, Aulopiformes) ; Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) euani n. sp. chez le bossu Gymnocranius euanus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes) ; et Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) elopsis n. sp. chez Elops hawaiensis (Elopidae, Elopiformes). Deux autres espèces congénériques, R. (I.) etelidis Moravec et Justine, 2012 et R. (I.) sillagoides (Bruce, 1990) ont été trouvées respectivement chez les vivaneaux de profondeur Etelis carbunculus (nouvel hôte) et Etelis coruscans (Lutjanidae, Perciformes) et chez Sillago sihama (Sillaginidae, Perciformes) (nouvel hôte et nouvelle mention géographique). Deux espèces congénériques non identifiées, Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 1 chez le bossu Lethrinus miniatus (Lethrinidae, Perciformes) et Raphidascaris (Ichthyascaris) sp. 2 chez Arothron hispidus (Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontiformes) sont signalées. De plus, deux espèces d'Hysterothylacium Ward et Magath, 1917, H. alatum Moravec et Justine, 2015 et H. epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1941), ont été trouvées chez la saumonée Plectropomus leopardus (hôte-type) et chez la loche uitoé Epinephelus maculatus (nouvel hôte) (Serranidae, Perciformes), respectivement. Il s'agit de la deuxième mention d'H. epinepheli depuis sa description originale au Japon il y a 79 ans. La plupart des espèces ont été décrites sur la base d'études au microscope optique et électronique.

Epinephelus sicanus (Doderlein, 1882) (Perciformes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae), a valid species of grouper from the Mediterranean Sea.

During the editing of the paper "In memory of Pietro Doderlein" (Massa et al. 2018), consulting Doderlein's bibliography, and highlighting some interesting documents and the material preserved in the Museum of Zoology of the University of Palermo (MZPA) (today named after Doderlein), a taxonomic anomaly was noticed about a grouper collected more than one hundred years ago. The aim of the present statement is to prove that the name Cerna sicana Doderlein, 1882 (presently as Epinephelus sicanus [Doderlein, 1882]) should be considered a valid species unless it is demonstrated that it is a synonym of another valid species. In 1882 Doderlein described Cerna sicana from a single specimen (Fig. 1). The holotype is a female, composed of three parts: MZPA-P/46 comprising the stuffed specimen bearing the external anatomical features (Fig. 1), MZPA-AN/440 comprising the dry gill arches and the heart (Fig. 2), and MZPA-AN/1233 comprising the vertebral column (Fig. 3). The eyes and the digestive and reproductive organs, originally stored in liquid, are lost. The specimen was collected in the central Mediterranean Sea along the coast of northern Sicily (Palermo), southern Italy, in December 1882 and deposited at the Museum of Zoology "P. Doderlein" of the University of Palermo. Later Doderlein (1889) moved the species to the genus Epinephelus Bloch, 1793. About his new species, Doderlein (1882) wrote (translated from Italian): "Serranus Cernioides, Brito Capello, and Serranus Caninus, Val., are those most related to this … It should be established if its characters could allow it to be described as a new species or if they could be anomalies of one of the previously cited species. In order to highlight the peculiar characters, I tentatively decide to name it Serranus or Cerna Sicana, after the locality where it was caught". Doderlein (1889) wrote about the new species to D.S. Jordan[1] then at the Indiana University of Bloomington (USA), who replied that he considered E. sicanus as a valid species, and that Jordan noted two other adults and a third young specimen collected in Brazil, in 1865, in the Louis Agassiz collection, preserved in the Museum of Cambridge (presently Museum of Comparative Zoology-MCZ, Harvard University, USA) that he considered as possibly conspecific with E. sicanus. According to A. Williston (MCZ curator, pers. comm.) two likely candidates for these Jordan-Doderlein specimens are still present in the museum (voucher codes MCZ 9787 and MCZ 9788), identified as "Epinephelus (allied to nigritus, perhaps new)". Soon after, Jordan Eigenmann (1890) synonymized Cerna sicana with Epinephelus merus (Poey, 1868). Subsequently, Boulenger (1895) synonymized Epinephelus merus and E. sicanus with Epinephelus nigritus (Holbrook, 1855), apparently without observing the holotype of C. sicana as argued by Tortonese (1956). [1]       Jordan (1891) described Symphodus doderleini with the following etymology: "We have given to it the new name of Symphodus doderleini, in honor of our excellent friend Prof. Pietro Doderlein of the University of Palermo"; this is a proof of the esteem that he had for him.

The Molecular Profile of Paratrajectura Longcementglandatus Amin, Heckmann Et Ali, 2018 (Acanthocephala: Transvenidae) from Percid Fishes in the Marine Waters of Iran and Iraq.

Paratrajectura longcementglandatus Amin, Heckmann et Ali, 2018 (Transvenidae) was recently described from two species of percid fishes collected from the marine territorial waters of Iraq and Iran in the Persian Gulf. The genus Paratrajectura Amin, Heckmann et Ali, 2018 is a close relative to transvenid genera Trajectura Pichelin et Crib, 2001 and Transvena Pichelin et Crib, 2001. Morphologically, Paratrajectura is characterised by having apical proboscis cone, long, tubular cement glands, short lemnisci, prominent roots on all proboscis hooks, subterminal female gonopore, and males with long pre-equatorial testes. Molecular studies of P. longcementglandatus using 18S rDNA and cox1 genes compared with available data of members of other families of Echinorhynchida showed that P. longcementglandatus is grouped with species of the genus Transvena forming a clade within the family Transvenidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the double-lined fusileer, Pterocaesio digramma (Perciformes, Caesionidae): mitogenome characterization and phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the double-lined fusileer, Pterocaesio digramma, which belongs to the family Caesionidae was determined. The complete mitochondrial genome has a length of 16,504 bp and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. P. digramma has a mitochondrial gene arrangement that is typical of vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial genomes of 15 related species revealed that P. digramma formed a well-supported monophyletic group with the other Caesionidae and Lutjanidae species.