Dactylogyrus Spp. (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) from the Gills of Enteromius Spp. (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) from the Limpopo Province, South Africa with Descriptions of Three New Species

Background: Monogenean parasites of the genus Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 parasitize mostly gills of cyprinoids hosts. Of 100 species currently known from African continent, approximately 35 have been described from Enteromius spp. Results of recent studies indicate that there are still many undescribed species of the genus Dactylogyrus in South Africa and systematic surveys can bring many new findings.

Methods: During the period April 2015-May 2016, three species of the genus Enteromius were sampled from eight localities across Limpopo Province. Monogenean parasites were collected from the gills of the hosts using stereomicroscopes. Morphometric analysis of the hard parts of the attachment organ and male copulatory organs were performed to confirm species identity.

Results: Presence of three new and three previously described Dactylogyrus species is reported. Newly described species include: Dactylogyrus afrohamiltoni sp. nov. from Enteromius afrohamiltoni; Dactylogyrus limpopoensis sp. nov. and Dactylogyrus letabaensis sp. nov. from Enteromius unitaeniatus. In addition, Dactylogyrus afrolongicornis, Dactylogyrus allolongionchus and Dactylogyrus myersi were identified from Enteromius trimaculatus. Newly identified species possess morphometric characters based on which they can be clearly identified from currently known species.

Conclusion: Present results show that small barbs, especially those not previously studied for monogenean parasites, are potentially very interesting target to study to recover new species of the genus Dactylogyrus and to bring new contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of African parasites.