Monogenean parasites of Pseudocrenilabrus philander (Weber, 1897) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the middle Limpopo River basin, southern Africa

Abstract

The study aimed to isolate and describe the monogenean parasites of the southern mouthbrooder, Pseudocrenilabrus philander (Weber, 1897), an endemic fish species of the Limpopo River basin in southern Africa. During summer and winter between November 2013 and August 2014, 86 specimens of P. philander were collected from the Nwanedi River (South Africa) and Bubi River (Zimbabwe). Monogenean parasites were isolated from the skin, gills and stomach. Morphometric evaluations revealed the presence of six species from three genera: Enterogyrus coronatus Pariselle, Lambert & Euzet, 1991, Gyrodactylus thlapi Christison, Shinn & van As, 2005, Cichlidogyrus philander Douëllou, 1993, Cichlidogyrus tilapiae Paperna, 1960, and Cichlidogyrus sp. 1 and sp. 2. Morphological and metrical characterisations of the species found during the present study are presented in detail. The presence of C. philander from the Nwanedi River as well as E. coronatus and C. tilapiae from the Bubi River represent new geographical records. Pseudocrenilabrus philander is reported for the first time to host C. tilapiae.