Towards the resolution of the Microcotyle erythrini species complex: description of Microcotyle isyebi n. sp. (Monogenea, Microcotylidae) from Boops boops (Teleostei, Sparidae) off the Algerian coast

The monogenean Microcotyle erythrini is atypical because it has been recorded from several fish host species in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, in contrast to many species which are considered strictly specific. This could indicate a true lack of specificity or that several cryptic species are involved. This paper is a partial attempt to solve this problem. Specimens of a monogenean resembling M. erythrini were collected from bogues, Boops boops, caught off Algeria. A comparison with published descriptions and with museum specimens of M. erythrini did not yield any clear morphological difference. However, sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) differed by 16.3% from that of M. erythrini (from GenBank, material collected from the type-host Pagellus erythrinus), indicating that the species was different. The species from B. boops is therefore described here as Microcotyle isyebi n. sp. and differential diagnoses with Microcotyle species from the Mediterranean and from sparids are provided. These results suggest that a molecular re-evaluation of other M. erythrini-like specimens from various fish hosts could reveal the existence of additional parasite biodiversity.