First Record of a Digenean from Invasive Lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans, (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology 2011-10, Vol.97 (5), p.833-837
• Main Authors: Bullard, S. A, Barse, A. M, Curran, S. S, Morris, J. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animals; Atlantic Ocean; Biological and medical sciences; Digenea; Fish; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Fishes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Hemiuridae; Hirudinea; Invasive fish; Invertebrates; Lecithochirium; LIFE CYCLES-SURVEY; Marine fishes; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Myzobdella lugubris; Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha; North Carolina; Ocean fisheries; Oceans; Ovaries; Parasite hosts; Parasites; Parasitism; Parasitology; Prostate; Pterois; Scanning electron microscopy; Scorpaenidae; Scorpaeniformes; Seas; Seminal vesicles; Sinuses; Stomach; Stomach - parasitology; Taxonomy; Trachelobdella lubrica; Trematoda - classification; Trematoda - ultrastructure; Trematode Infections - parasitology; Trematode Infections - veterinary; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/GE-2746.1

Adults of Lecithochirium floridense (Digenea: Hemiuridae) parasitized the stomach in each of 22 necropsied lionfish, Pterois cf. volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) (prevalence  =  100%, mean intensity  =  11), captured in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean off Beaufort, North Carolina (34°14.83′N, 76°35.25′W). This is the first report of a digenean from the invasive lionfish and that of L. floridense from a species of Pterois. The leech specimen previously identified as Myzobdella lugubris from P. volitans in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean is re-identified as Trachelobdella lubrica based on a study of the original voucher specimen.