The status of Lecithochirium grandiporum (Rudolphi, 1819) (Digenea: Hemiuridae), a rarely reported and poorly known species from the Mediterranean moray eel Muraena helena L. in the Western Mediterranean.

Abstract

A redescription of the poorly known Lecithochirium grandiporum (Rudolphi, 1819) is given based on numerous specimens collected from the stomach of the moray eel Muraena helena in the waters off the Scandola Natural Reserve, Corsica, in the Western Mediterranean. This species, abundant in all specimens of the moray eel studied in this region, is shown to be a valid species and not stunted specimens of L. fusiforme Lühe, 1901, a common parasite of the conger eel Conger conger which has developed in the wrong host. Comparative morphological and metrical studies, based on numerous specimens from the same geographical area, show that L. grandiporum from M. helena and L. fusiforme from C. conger and Lophius piscatorius represent one and the same species, the latter becoming a junior synonym of L. grandiporum. In addition, a list of the digenean species collected from each of these three fish species from off the Scandola Natural Reserve is given, showing the similarities between their digenean fauna.