''Pseudorhabdosynochus variabilis'' is a diplectanid monogenean parasitic on the

gill A gill () is a respiratory organ that many aquatic organisms use to extract dissolved oxygen from water and to excrete carbon dioxide. The gills of some species, such as hermit crabs, have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are ...

s of the grouper '' Epinephelus morrhua''. It has been described in 2008.

Description

''Pseudorhabdosynochus variabilis'' is a small monogenean, 300–500 μm in length. The species has the general characteristics of other species of ''

Pseudorhabdosynochus ''Pseudorhabdosynochus'' is a genus of monopisthocotylean monogeneans, included in the family Diplectanidae. The type-species of the genus is ''Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli'' ( Yamaguti, 1938). The genus includes more than 80 species, which a ...

'', with a flat body and a posterior haptor, which is the organ by which the monogenean attaches itself to the gill of is host. The haptor bears two

squamodisc Squamodiscs are epidermal structures, which are typical of and found only in certain monogeneans of the family Diplectanidae. There are, typically, two squamodiscs, one ventral and one dorsal, located on the haptor of the monogenean. Squamodiscs ...

s, one ventral and one dorsal. The sclerotized male copulatory organ, or "quadriloculate organ", has the shape of a bean with four internal chambers, as in other species of ''

''. The

vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...

includes a sclerotized part, which is a complex structure, which changes dramatically according to specimen and orientation.

Etymology

''Variabilis ''is Latin for variable, with reference to the sclerotised vagina.

Hosts and localities

The type-host and only recorded host of ''P. variabilis'' is the comet grouper '' Epinephelus morrhua'' (

Serranidae The Serranidae are a large family of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species in 65 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers (subfamily Epinephelinae). Although many species are small, in some case ...

: Epinephelinae). The type-locality and only recorded locality is off Nouméa,

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

. This grouper also harbours another species of ''Pseudorhabdosynochus'', '' P. morrhua'' Justine, 2008.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21325902 Diplectanidae Animals described in 2008 Platyhelminthes of New Caledonia