Systematic Parasitology 56: 201–210, 2003.

© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

201

Four new species of Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960 (Monogenea,

Ancyrocephalidae), all gill parasites from African mouthbreeder tilapias
of the genera Sarotherodon and Oreochromis (Pisces, Cichlidae), with a
redescription of C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981

Antoine Pariselle1 , Charles F. Bilong Bilong2 & Louis Euzet3

1 IRD/GAMET, BP 5095, 34033 Montpellier Cedex 1, France
2 Laboratoire de Biologie Générale, Université de Yaoundé I, BP 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3 Station Méditerranéenne de l’Environnement Littoral, Université Montpellier II, 1 Quai de la Daurade,

34200 Sète, France

Accepted for publication 6th May, 2003

Abstract
A study of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus), O. aureus (Steindachner), Sarotherodon caudomarginatus
(Boulenger), S. galilaeus (Linnaeus) and S. galilaeus sanagaensis (Thys van den Audenaerde) (Teleostei, Cich-
lidae) from different locations in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Niger and Senegal) revealed the
presence of 11 species of monogenean gill parasites. Four, belonging to Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960 and con-
sidered as new species, are described: C. rognoni n. sp., C. douellouae n. sp., C. giostrai n. sp. and C. njinei n. sp.
They are distinguished by the shape and/or size of the sclerotised parts of the haptoral and copulatory complexes.
C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981 from O. niloticus is redescribed.

Résumé Introduction

L’étude des parasites branchiaux de Oreochromis A study of gill parasites from the mouthbreeder
niloticus (Linnaeus), O. aureus (Steindachner), tilapias Oreochromis niloticus (L.), O. aureus (Stein-
Sarotherodon caudomarginatus (Boulenger), S. ga- dachner), Sarotherodon caudomarginatus (Boulenger),
lilaeus (Linnaeus) et S. galilaeus sanagaensis (Thys S. galilaeus (L.) and S. galilaeus sanagaensis (Thys
van den Audenaerde) (Teleostei, Cichlidae) proven- van den Audenaerde) (Pisces, Cichlidae) from differ-
ant de divers pays africains (Burkina Faso, Cameroun, ent locations in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Guinée, Niger et Sénégal) a révélé l’existence de Guinea, Niger and Senegal) revealed the presence
11 espèces de Monogenea. Quatre espèces, appar- of eleven species of Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960
tenant au genre Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960, sont (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae). Four are considered
considérées comme nouvelles et décrites: C. rognoni new species and are described here. The discovery
n. sp., C. douellouae n. sp., C. giostrai n. sp. et of an auxiliary plate associated with the accessory
C. njinei n. sp. Elles se différencient par la forme piece of the male apparatus in C. thurstonae Ergens,
et/ou la taille des pièces sclérifiées du hapteur et du 1981, which had not been indicated in the original
genitalia. C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981 parasite de O. description, led us to redescribe this species.
niloticus est redécrite. Considering the great diversity of monogenean gill
parasites on African cichlids and their narrow host-
specificity (Pariselle, 1996), the discovery of new spe-
cies is not a surprise, particularly when new hosts (e.g.
S. caudomarginatus) or new locations (e.g. S. galileus
sanagaensis from Cameroon) are examined.
202

Materials and methods Median muscular pharynx. Simple intestinal caeca,

joined posteriorly. Two pairs of gripi (hamuli), one
Fish were caught in various rivers and lagoons of dorsal and one ventral. Two transverse bars; dorsal
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Niger and Senegal with two auricles; ventral curved and articulated. Me-
using gill or cast nets, or after poisoning with Roten- dian posterior testis. Vas deferens on right side, not
one (Predatox
). The left branchial arches of each fish encircling intestinal caecum. Seminal vesicle present.
were separated into dorsal and ventral sections, and One prostatic reservoir. Male copulatory complex with
either observed directly or frozen until examination. In penis and accessory piece, auxiliary plate sometimes
the laboratory, the monogeneans were detached from present. Median pre-testicular ovary. Submedian va-
the gill and then transferred individually to a drop of ginal opening. Sclerotised vagina. Seminal recept-
ammonium picrate-glycerine (after Malmberg, 1957) acle present. Gill parasites of African Cichlidae and
on a slide. The preparation was then covered with a Nandidae. Type-species: C. arthracanthus Paperna,
coverslip and sealed. From these preparations, draw- 1960.
ings were made of the sclerotised pieces of the haptor
and of the copulatory complex using a camera lucida.
Measurements, in micrometres and as the mean fol- Cichlidogyrus rognoni n. sp.
lowed by the range in parentheses, are those proposed
by Gusev (1962) (Figure 1). The method of numbering Type-host: Oreochromis niloticus (L.).
the haptoral pieces is that adopted at ICOPA IV (Euzet Site: Gills; between secondary gill lamellae.
& Prost, 1981). The terminology is that of Pariselle Type-locality: River Senegal, Senegal.
& Euzet (1995): gripus (for hamulus or anchor) and Other records: This species was also found on the
uncinulus (for hooklet or marginal hook). The part of same host at the IDESSA Research Station at Bouakè,
the accessory piece, which is situated below the penis Ivory Coast.
basal bulb (Figure 1), is named ‘heel’ by analogy. Material studied: 30 individuals.
Type-material: Holotype deposited in the Muséum Na-
tional d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 536 HF
Results Tk60. Paratypes deposited in the Muséum National
d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 536 HF Tk61;
Among the 11 species recorded, seven have been de-
in The Natural History Museum, London: BMNH
scribed previously (see Table 1): Cichlidogyrus acer-
1997.2.3.3; and in the Musée Royal d’Afrique Cent-
bus Dossou, 1982, C. cirratus Paperna, 1964, C. halli
rale, Tervuren: MRAC 37 407.
Paperna & Thurston, 19691 , C. thurstonae Ergens,
1981, C. tilapiae Paperna, 1960, Scutogyrus bailloni
Description (Figure 2)
Pariselle & Euzet, 1995 and S. longicornis (Paperna &
Thurston, 1969). The remaining four are considered Adult: 825 (638-1,014) long, 148 (126-167) wide at
new species: C. rognoni n. sp. on Oreochromis niloti- level of penis. Pharynx 41 (34-47) wide. Wide dorsal
cus, C. douellouae n. sp. on Sarotherodon galilaeus, gripi (hamuli) with guard 3 times longer than shaft,
C. giostrai n. sp. on S. caudomarginatus and C. njinei and arched blade: a = 48 (45-51), b = 39 (36-42),
n. sp. on S. galilaeus sanagaensis. These new forms c = 4 (2-6), d = 14 (12-17), e = 12 (10-15). Dorsal
all belong to Cichlidogyrus, which is redefined below. transverse bar arched, with 2 very large auricles on its
convex face: x = 37 (30-42), w = 10 (8-12), h = 20
(16-26), y = 14 (11-18). Ventral gripi (hamuli) similar
Cichlidogyrus Paperna, 1960
to dorsal, slightly larger: a = 50 (45-53), b = 44 (40-
Amended diagnosis (modified after Paperna, 1960, and 47), c = 4 (2-6), d = 13 (10-16), e = 15 (13-17).
Curved ventral transverse bar: x = 36 ± 1.7 (31-39),
Pariselle & Euzet, 1997)
w = 8 ± 0.9 (6-10). Short uncinuli (marginal hooks)
With characters of Ancyrocephalidae. Three pairs
I = 14 (13-15) long; II, associated with ventral gripus,
of cephalic glands. Two posterior ocelli with crys-
has larval size of 12 (9-13) long; III = 17 (15-22) long,
talline lenses. Two small inconsistent anterior ocelli.
IV = 21 (19-23), V = 24 (22-26), VI = 21 (18-23),
1 According to Dossou (1982) and Douëllou (1993), this species
VII = 17 (15-19). Penis short, slightly arched, simple;
should be re-examined because of differences noticed between
measurements of specimen from a very wide range of hosts.
slightly curved accessory piece, with developed heel:
 203

Figure 1. Measurements used in this study. Abbreviations: Ap, accessory piece; DB, dorsal transverse bar (h, auricle total length; y, distance
between auricles; x, bar total width; w, bar thickness); G, gripus (a, gripus total length; b, blade length; c, shaft length; d, guard length; e, blade
point length); H, heel; MA, male apparatus; Pe, penis; Pl, auxiliary plate (L, total length; l, total width); U, uncinulus; VB, ventral transverse
bar (x, length of one branch; w, bar thickness); Vg, vagina (V, total length; v, diameter).

Pe = 35 (29-38), Ap = 31 (27-35), He = 5 (4-7). No Cichlidogyrus douellouae n. sp.

visible vagina.
Type-host: Sarotherodon galilaeus (L.).
Comments Site: Gills; between secondary gill lamellae.
Type-locality: Mékrou River at "W" National Park,
This species belongs to the group of Cichlidogyrus Niger.
with small uncinuli I to VII, a short penis (<60 µm) Other records: This species was also found on the
without a swollen portion and no visible vagina2 : same host in the Kou River (Volta Noire River tribu-
C. bifurcatus Paperna, 1960, C. fontanai Pariselle tary) at Bama near Bobodioulasso, Burkina Faso, and
& Euzet, 1997, C. haplochromii Paperna & Thur- on S. g. sanaganensis in the Sanaga River at Edéa,
ston, 1969, C. levequei Pariselle & Euzet, 1996 and Cameroon.
C. tilapiae Paperna, 1960. C. rognoni n. sp. is easily Material studied: 30 individuals.
distinguished from all these species: C. fontanai has an Type-material: Holotype deposited in the Muséum
accessory piece associated with the penis ending in at National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 535
least four points (vs simple); C. bifurcatus has a longer HF Tk58. Paratypes deposited in the Muséum Na-
penis (more than 40 vs 35 µm); and C. haplochromii tional d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 535 HF
and C. tilapiae have no heel at the level of the basal Tk 59; in The Natural History Museum (London):
bulb of the penis (vs a developed one). BMNH 1997.2.3.1; and in the Musée Royal d’Afrique
The name C. rognoni n. sp. is proposed for Dr Centrale (Tervuren): MRAC 37 410.
Xavier Rognon, who provided the type-material from
the River Senegal and the IDESSA Research Station. Description (Figure 3)

Adult: 608 (398-735) long, 150 (107-192) wide at

level of penis. Very large pharynx, 69 (53-83) wide.
2 See discussion in Dossou (1982) and key in Pariselle (1996).
Small dorsal gripi (hamuli) with guard twice as long
as shaft and arched blade: a = 22 (20-24), b = 17
204

Figure 2. Cichlidogyrus rognoni n. sp. Abbreviations: DB, dorsal bar; DG, dorsal gripus; H, heel; MA, male apparatus; VB, ventral bar; VG,
ventral gripus; I-VII, uncinuli. Scale-bar: 30 µm.

Table 1. The African hosts studied and the species of Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus recorded.

Oreochromis Oreochromis Sarotherodon Sarotherodon Sarotherodon galilaeus

niloticus aureus caudomarginatus galilaeus sanagaensis

C. cirratus
C. acerbus
C. halli C. halli C. halli
C. thurstonae C. thurstonae
C. tilapiae C. tilapiae C. tilapiae C. tilapiae
S. longicornis S. longicornis
S. bailloni S. bailloni
C. rognoni n. sp.
C. douellouae n. sp. C. douellouae n. sp.
C. giostrai n. sp.
C. njinei n. sp.
 205

Figure 3. Cichlidogyrus douellouae n. sp. Abbreviations: DB, dorsal bar; DG, dorsal gripus; H, heel; MA, male apparatus; VB, ventral bar;
VG, ventral gripus; Vg, vagina; I-VII, uncinuli. Scale-bar: 30 µm.

(16-20), c = 5 (4-7), d = 11 (8-14), e = 8 (7-10). gina: C. bouvii Pariselle & Euzet, 1997, C. dossoui
Small dorsal transverse bar with large auricles: x = 23 Douëllou, 1993 and C. vexus Pariselle & Euzet, 1995.
(20-27), w = 5 (4-7), h = 15 (11-17), y = 10 (7-13). It mainly differs from C. vexus by the shape of the
Ventral gripi (hamuli), similar to dorsal but slightly accessory piece (end hook-shaped vs folded back);
more robust: a = 29 (26-33), b = 23 (20-25), c = 6 and from C. bouvii by the length of the penis (74 vs
(4-9), d = 12 (10-15), e = 10 (8-12). Curved ventral 54 µm). C. douellouae n. sp. is closely related to
transverse bar: x = 29 (26-33), w = 5 (4-6). Uncin- C. dossoui, but can be readily distinguished by the
uli (marginal hooks): I = 15 (14-18) long; II = 12 dimensions of the penis (74 vs up to 65 µm), the
(10-14), III = 31 (29-34), IV = 33 (31-35), V = 34 dorsal transverse bar (heavier in C. dossoui) and the
(32-37), VI = 33 (31-35), VII = 31 (27-34). Arched shape of the end of the accessory piece (the presence
tubular penis with ovoid basal bulb: Pe = 74 (69-83). of one, two or three small tubercles on the convex face
S-shaped accessory piece with large and perpendicular in C. douellouae).
diverticulum at proximal third, ending in large hook The name C. douellouae n. sp. is proposed for the
with 1, 2 or 3 small tubercles on its convex face and fish parasitologist Dr Laurence Douëllou.
very large heel: Ap = 55 (50-62), He = 8 (7-10). Short
and well sclerotised vagina, bent at middle: V = 14
(12-17), v = 5 (3-7). Cichlidogyrus giostrai n. sp.

Comments Type-host: Sarotherodon caudomarginatus (Boulenger).

Site: Gills; between secondary gill lamellae.
This new species belongs to the group of Cich- Type-locality: Badi River at ferry crossing on Tondon
lidogyrus with short uncinuli I, long uncinuli III to Road, Guinea.
VII, narrow penis (<100 µm), S-shaped accessory
piece without auxiliary plate and short conical va-
206

Figure 4. Cichlidogyrus giostrai n. sp. Abbreviations: DB, dorsal bar; DG, dorsal gripus; H, heel; MA, male apparatus; VB, ventral bar; VG,
ventral gripus; Vg, vagina; I-VII, uncinuli. Scale-bar: 30 µm.

Other records: This species was also found on the (24-35), h = 9 (8-11), w = 7 (6-10), y = 12 (11-15).
same host in the Bourouma River, 10 km south west Ventral gripi (hamuli) slightly larger than dorsal and
from La Ramié, Guinea. with shorter shaft: a = 34 (32-36), b = 31 (29-33), c =
Material studied: 11 specimens. 1 (0-2), d = 10 (8-11), e = 11 (9-12). Curved ventral
Type-material: Holotype deposited in the Muséum Na- transverse bar: x = 25 (23-28), w = 5 (4-6). Uncinuli
tional d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 529 HF (marginal hooks) I short = 11 (11-12) long; II = 11
Tk46. Paratypes deposited in the Muséum National (10-13) long; marginal uncinuli short: III = 13 (11-
d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 529 HF Tk47; 14) long, IV = 14 (13-15), V = 14 (14-15), VI = 13
in The Natural History Museum (London): BMNH (12-14), VII = 11 (10-12). J-shaped tubular penis with
1997.2.3.2; and in the Musée Royal d’Afrique Cent- well marked swollen portion near basal ovoid bulb:
rale (Tervuren): MRAC 37 406. Pe = 93 (83-105). Large, C-shaped accessory piece
with spoon-shaped ending and developed heel: 39 (34-
Description (Figure 4) 50) long, He = 6 (3-7). Long, thin vagina with large
aperture: V = 70 (62-78), v = 2 (1-2).
Adult: 601 (403-800) long, 147 (100-174) wide at
level of ovary. Pharynx 32 (24-38) wide. Dorsal gripi Comments
(hamuli) with short shaft; guard 3 times longer; blade
arched: a = 33 (31-35), b = 28 (26-31), c = 1 (0- This new species belongs to the group of Cichlido-
3), d = 11 (10-12), e = 9 (8-11). Dorsal transverse gyrus with a well-marked swollen portion near the
bar arched, with 2 auricles on its convex face: x = 29 basal bulb of the penis: C. amphoratus Pariselle &
 207

Euzet, 1996, C. ornatus Pariselle & Euzet, 1996, Comments

C. papernastrema Price et al., 1969 and C. sanjeani
Pariselle & Euzet, 1997. It differs from C. paper- This new species belongs to the group of Cichlido-
nastrema mainly in the size and shape of uncinuli I, gyrus with a well-marked swollen portion near the
which are almost identical to those of the other pairs, basal bulb of the penis: C. amphoratus Pariselle &
whereas in C. papernastrema uncinuli I are much lar- Euzet, 1996, C. ornatus Pariselle & Euzet, 1996,
ger and more robust than the others (see illustration C. papernastrema Price et al., 1969, C. sanjeani Paris-
in Price et al., 1969). It differ from C. amphoratus, elle & Euzet, 1997 and C. giostrai n. sp. It differs from
C. ornatus and C. sanjeani in the dimensions of the C. papernastrema mainly by having small uncinuli I
penis (93 vs 46, 53 and 39 µm, respectively) and in (vs large); and from C. amphoratus, C. ornatus and
the shape of the accessory piece. C. sanjeani by the dimensions of the penis (91 vs 46,
The name C. giostrai n. sp. is proposed for Mr 53 or 39 µm, respectively) and by the shape of the
Domenico Giostra. accessory piece. C. njinei n. sp. is close to C. giostrai,
but may be distinguished by the length of uncinuli
pairs II and III to VII (16 vs 11 µm and 20 vs 13 µm),
Cichlidogyrus njinei n. sp. the heel (8 vs 6 µm) and the shape of the accessory
piece.
Type-host: Sarotherodon galilaeus sanagaensis (Thys The name C. njinei n. sp. is proposed for Prof. T.
van den Audenaerde). Njiné, University of Yaoundé.
Site: Gills; between secondary gill lamellae.
Type-locality: The Sanaga River at Edéa, Cameroon.
Cichlidogyrus thurstonae Ergens, 1981
Material studied: 10 individuals.
Type-material: Holotype deposited in the Muséum
Type-host: Tilapia nilotica [= Oreochromis niloticus
National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 478
(L.)].
HF Tg77. Paratypes deposited in the Muséum Na-
Site: Gills; between secondary gill lamellae.
tional d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN 478 HF
Type-locality: River Nile at Cairo, Egypt.
Tg77; and in the Musée Royal d’Afrique Centrale
Present records: This species was found by us on the
(Tervuren): MRAC 37 370.
same host in the River Senegal, Senegal.
Material studied: 29 individuals from Senegal.
Description (Figure 5)
Voucher specimens: Specimen deposited in the
Adult: 737 (720-760) long, 120 (110-120) wide at Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris): MNHN
level of ovary. Pharynx 33 (30-40) wide. Dorsal gripi 537 HF Tk62.
(hamuli) with long guard and arched blade: a = 37
(35-38), b = 32 (30-35), c = 1 (1-2), d = 12 (10-12), Description (Figure 6)
e = 11 (10-12). Dorsal transverse bar with short and When available, corresponding measurements from
wide auricles: x = 31 (29-32), w = 7 (6-7), h = 11 the original description (from Ergens, 1981) are given
(9-12), y = 12 (10-12). Ventral gripi (hamuli), similar in brackets.
to dorsal but slightly heavier: a = 38 (36-39), b = 33 Adult: 663 (493-835) long, 140 (119-163) wide at
(31-35), c = 2 (1-2), d = 12 (11-13), e = 11 (10-12). level of penis. Pharynx 52 (45-60) wide. Dorsal gripi
Curved ventral transverse bar: x = 27 (26-29), w = 5 (hamuli) with long shaft and guard, and arched blade:
(4-6). Uncinuli (marginal hooks): I = 12 (11-12) long; a = 27 (24-29) [30], b = 21 (19-23) [20], c = 10 (8-
II = 16 (14-17); III to VII = 20 (19-22). J-shaped, 13) [8], d = 14 (12-16) [12], e = 8 (6-9) [6]. Dorsal
narrow, tubular penis, with marked spherical swollen transverse bar arched, with 2 auricles on its convex
portion: Pe = 91 (88-95). Accessory piece C-shaped face: x = 36 (32-47) [46], h = 14 (10-18), w = 6 (4-
and complicated (see Figure 5), with large heel: Ap = 8) [5], y = 13 (10-16) [14.5]. Ventral gripi (hamuli)
45 (42-48), He = 8 (7-10). Vagina long and sinuous: similar to dorsal but slightly larger: a = 33 (29-35)
V = 64 (62-68), v = 2 (2-3). [33], b = 26 (23-28) [24], c = 10 (7-12) [8], d = 15
(13-17) [14], e = 10 (9-12) [9]. Ventral transverse bar
curved, narrower at middle: x = 33 (26-37) [64/2 =
32], w = 6 (4-8) [4]. Uncinuli (marginal hooklets) I
208

Figure 5. Cichlidogyrus njinei n. sp. Abbreviations: DB, dorsal bar; DG, dorsal gripus; H, heel; MA, male apparatus; VB, ventral bar; VG,
ventral gripus; Vg, vagina; I-VII, uncinuli. Scale-bar: 30 µm.

short, 17 (15-18) [13] long; II 12 (10-14); III to VII specimens were found. However, the illustrations of
[39.5]: III = 40 (35-44), IV = 43 (39-46), V = 44 the sclerotised parts given by Ergens (1981) perfectly
(40-47), VI = 42 (39-46), VII = 41 (37-45). Male cop- match our material. Therefore, the species found in
ulatory complex composed of slightly arched tubular Senegal and described above is undoubtedly C. thur-
penis perpendicular to ovoid basal bulb: Pe = 53 (48- stonae, even if Ergens did not mention the presence of
56). S-shaped accessory piece with long finger-like an auxiliary plate associated with the male apparatus.
process at its proximal end; distal end pincer-like (not This species belongs to the group of Cichlidogyrus
articulated); heel poorly developed. Accessory piece characterised by small uncinuli I, long uncinuli III to
always associated with large, thin auxiliary plate with VII and one auxiliary plate associated with the male
numerous aligned tubercles; as this plate is not linked apparatus: C. aegypticus Ergens, 1981, C. agnesi Par-
to accessory piece its spatial position is variable but iselle & Euzet, 1995, C. bilongi Pariselle & Euzet,
always close to its distal end (as shown in Figure 6): 1995, C. gallus Pariselle & Euzet, 1995, C. microscu-
Ap = 52 (47-55), plate: 17 (15-19) by 13 (11-14), tus Pariselle & Euzet, 1996, and C. paganoi Pariselle
He = 4 (3-6). Vagina straight, irregularly shaped: V = & Euzet, 1997. C. thurstonae is readily distinguished
23 (20-25), v = 2 (1-2). from these species. C. aegypticus, C. agnesi, C. bi-
longi and C. gallus have a very different vaginae (in
Comments shape and length) and no finger-like process at the
proximal end of the accessory piece. C. microscutus
Only very minor differences3 between the new ma- has a small accessory plate (vs wide) and a vagina
terial and the original measurements from Egyptian with a very different shape. C. paganoi has simil-
3 Differences probably resulting from the way in which the meas- arly shaped vagina but a very different accessory piece
urements were taken.
 209

Figure 6. Cichlidogyrus thurstonae Ergens, 1981. Abbreviations: DB, dorsal bar; DG, dorsal gripus; H, heel; MA, male apparatus; Pl, auxiliary
plate; VB, ventral bar; VG, ventral gripus; Vg, vagina; I-VII, uncinuli. Scale-bar: 30 µm.

(short finger-like process proximally vs longer) and a species (see Pariselle et al., 2002) at different taxo-
wider auxiliary plate. nomic levels: O. aureus is ‘parasitologically’ related to
O. niloticus, as are S. galilaeus and S. g. sanagaensis.
At a higher level, the homogeneity of mouthbreeder
Conclusion tilapias is highlighted by the sharing of C. halli,
C. tilapiae or Scutogyrus spp. These phylogenetic re-
As previously quoted (Pariselle, 1996), monogenean lationships of the hosts indicated by analyses of their
species-richness of cichlid hosts (i.e. the number of parasites are confirmed by genetic data (see Pouyaud
parasite species found on/in one host species) is vari- & Agnèse, 1995). The morphological proximity of C.
able, even between closely related forms. In this study giostrai and C. njinei remains enigmatic, as their two
on monogeneans it varies from one (in Sarotherodon host species are not closely related.
caudomarginatus) to six (in Oreochromis niloticus).
This variability is probably shaped by the historical
events experienced by the host population (for a hy- References
pothesis, see Pariselle et al., 2003). The fact that
S. caudomarginatus is parasitised by only one spe- Dossou, C. (1982) Parasites de poissons d’eau douce du Bénin. III.
cies is probably related to the homogeneity of its Espèces nouvelles du genre Cichlidogyrus (Monogenea) para-
population (narrow range of distribution, few fluctu- sites de Cichlidae. Bulletin de l’Institut Fondamental d’Afrique
Noire, 44, 295–322.
ations in population size, little or no fragmentation Douëllou, L. (1993) Monogeneans of the genus Cichlidogyrus Pa-
of the population) compared to O. niloticus (wide perna, 1960 (Dactylogyridae: Ancyrocephalinae) from cichlid
range of distribution, probably significant fluctuations fishes of Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe) with descriptions of five new
species. Systematic Parasitology, 25, 159–186.
in population size, population fragmentation).
Ergens, R. (1981) Nine species of the genus Cichlidogyrus Paperna,
The sharing of parasite species (see Table 1) is 1960 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalinae) from Egyptian fishes.
probably the result of inheritance from ancestral host Folia Parasitologica, 28, 205–214.
210

Euzet, L. & Prost, M. (1981) Report of the meeting on Monogenea: Sarotherodon occidentalis (Daget) (Osteichthyes, Cichlidae) in
problems of systematic, biology and ecology. In: Slusarski, W. Guinea and Sierra Leone (West Africa). Systematic Parasitology,
(Ed.) Review of advances in parasitology. Warsaw: P.W.N. Polish 38, 221–230.
Scientific Publishers, pp. 1003–1004. Pariselle, A., Lim, L.H.S. & Lambert, A. (2002) Monogeneans
Gusev, A.V. (1962) [Monogenetic trematodes.] In: Bychovskaya- from Pangasiidae (Siluriformes) in Southeast Asia: III: Five new
Pavlovskaya, I.E. (Ed.) [Key to the parasites of freshwater fishes species of Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952 (Ancylodiscoidinae) from
of the USSR.] Moscow-Leningrad: Academiya Nauk SSSR, Pangasius bocourti, P. djambal and P. hypophthalmus. Parasite,
pp. 200–383. (Translated from Russian by IPST, Ser. No. 1136, 9, 207–217.
Jerusalem, 1964). Pariselle, A., Morand, S., Deveney, M.R. & Pouyaud, L. (2003)
Malmberg, G. (1957) [On the occurrence of Gyrodactylus on Parasite species richness of closely related hosts: historical scen-
Swedish fishes.] Skrifterutgivna av Sodra Sveriges Fiskeriforen- ario and ‘genetic’ hypothesis. In: Combes, C. & Jourdane,
ing, (1956), pp. 19–76.] (In Swedish, with description of species J. (Eds) Taxonomy, ecology, and evolution of metazoan para-
and a summary in English.) sites. Livre hommage à Louis Euzet. Perpignan: Les Presses
Paperna, I (1960) Studies on monogenetic trematodes in Israel. 2. Universitaires de Perpignan, Vol. 2, pp. 147–166.
Monogenetic trematodes of cichlids. Bamidgeh, 12, 20–30. Pouyaud, L. & Agnèse, J.-F. (1995) Phylogenetic relationships
Pariselle, A. (1996) Diversité, spéciation et évolution des Mono- between 21 species of three tilapiine genera Tilapia, Sarothero-
gènes branchiaux de Cichlidae en Afrique de l’Ouest. PhD don and Oreochromis using allozyme data. Journal of Fish
Thesis: University of Montpellier II, France, 199 pp. Biology, 47, 26–38.
Pariselle, A. & Euzet, L. (1995) Gill parasites of the genus Cich- Price, C.E., Peebles, H.E. & Bamford, T. (1969) The monogen-
lidogyrus Paperna, 1960 (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) from ean parasites of African fishes. IV. Two new species from South
Tilapia guineensis (Bleeker, 1862), with descriptions of six new African hosts. Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaine, 79,
species. Systematic Parasitology, 30, 187–198. 117–124.
Pariselle, A. & Euzet, L. (1997) New species of Cichlidogyrus
Paperna, 1960 (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) from the gills of