Microcotyle sp.

Present study.

Archosargus rhomboidalis .

Supplementary observations

(measurements based on three specimens). Body 3,927 (3,235-4,950; 3) long. Maximum width 493 (310-670; 3) at germarium level. Two oral suckers 67 (55-80; 6) long by 44 (38-49; 6) width. Opisthaptor with eight narrow peduncles. Anterior clamps 34 (32-36; 3) long, 64 (58-72; 5) wide. Genital atrium 161 (155-175; 3) wide, with two bilateral zones of small spines lying posterior to the armed genital atrium and 2 posterolateral cavities. Number of testes 21-22, each subspherical 62 (50-70, 7) long, 67 (62-75; 6) wide. Eggs, 195 (187-200; 3) long, 55-105 wide, each with 2 polar filaments.

Comments.

In this host species, A. rhomboidalis, a simultaneous infection with M. archosargi was found. Since all worms could not be identified, the data on infection rate relate to Microcotyle sp. and M. archosargi . The present specimens of Microcotyle sp. resembles those of M. archosargi and M. atriobursata [paratype (CNHE 0188) of Paramicrocotyle atriobursata] in the general morphology of the genital atrium, 1) two bilateral zones of small spines lying posterior to the armed genital atrium; 2) two posterolateral cavities; 3) genital atrium elliptical, occupying all postbifurcal area; in ventral view, the anterior margin of the atrium is gently curved; posteriorly, the atrium expands into a triangular shape to form an internal cavity surrounded by ventral lips with spines; anterior margin is projected as an operculum on the posterior margin (present in current specimens and M. atriobursata) (see figures 1 and 5 in Caballero y Caballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1972; Figure 5 in the present study); 4) number of testes, i.e. 21-22 vs. 20-35 in M. archosargi (MacCallum, 1913) and 20-25 in M. atriobursata . Microcotyle sp. differs from these two microcotylids in the width of the genital atrium, i.e. 155-175 vs. 211-242 in M. atriobursata and 80 in M. archosargi. Although current specimens are clearly members of the Microcotyle they were unsatisfactory to clarify details of internal organs for species identification . While intraspecific variation between individuals of Microcotyle sp. and M. archosargi might represent a single species, new collections of specimens of the former species are necessary for completing formal specific identification of this species.

Specimens deposited.

Three reference specimens in the CNHE (10610).