Morphological and Morphometric Studies on Some Digenean and Monogenean Parasites from Siganid Fishes in the Red Sea, Egypt

Document Type : Research article

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Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt

Abstract

The parasitic diversity of three Siganus species (Perciformes: Siganidae)—Siganus rivulatus, Siganus luridus, and Siganus stellatus—from the Red Sea, Egypt, was precisely investigated through comprehensive morphological and morphometric analyses of 125 specimens collected over a period of two years. Currently, three digenean species were identified from the intestinal tracts of the examined fish namely, Gyliauchen volubilis; Hexangium sigani; and Opisthogonoporoides hanumanthai. The overall prevalence of Gy. volubilis and H. sigani in S. rivulatus and S. luridus was 20% and 60%, and 36% and 50%, respectively. Additionally, O. hanumanthai was found only in S. rivulatus (30%), representing a new host and locality record.
Two monogenean species, morphologically and morphometrically consistent with Glyphidohaptor plectocirra, and Pseudohaliotrema sphincteroporus, were also identified. The overall prevalence of Gl. plectocirra and P. sphincteroporus in S. rivulatus, S. luridus, and S. stellatus was 60%, 54%, 60%, and 40%, 50%, and 76%, respectively. Notably, S. stellatus and S. rivulatus were recorded as new hosts for Gl. plectocirra and P. sphincteroporus, respectively.
These findings not only broaden the knowledge of parasite-host associations but also provide crucial insights into the parasitic biodiversity of the Red Sea ecosystem. By unveiling new host records and prevalence patterns, this study lays a foundation for future ecological, epidemiological, and conservation-oriented research in marine parasitology.

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