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

Abstract

is a common genus of Neotropical monopisthocotylans; however, information on its diversity and phylogeny remains limited. In this study, we describe four new species ofparasitizing the gills of(Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) from a weir in the state of Ceará, Brazil.n. sp. andn. 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. andn. 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 ofparasitizingand, along with published sequences of other Dactylogyridae members, were included in the molecular analyses. Phylogenetic reconstructions supported the monophyly of.