Acanthocephalans of the genus Megistacantha Golvan, 1960 (Palaeacanthocephala: Rhadinorhynchidae) in two African mormyrid fishes (Actinopterygii: Mormyridae)

Syst Parasitol. 2016 Nov;93(9):927-933. doi: 10.1007/s11230-016-9672-6. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Abstract

The genus Megistacantha Golvan, 1960 was originally described as monotypic with Megistacantha horridum (Lühe, 1912) from a mormyrid fish in Africa as its type- and only species. This species was described from one female specimen, but no description of the male was provided. In this study, the male of M. horridum is described for the first time. In addition, a new species, Megistacantha sanghaensis n. sp., is described from the Cornish jack Mormyrops anguilloides L., a mormyrid fish from the River Sangha, Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. The diagnosis of Megistacantha Golvan, 1960 is amended and a key to its two species is provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthocephala / anatomy & histology
  • Acanthocephala / classification*
  • Animals
  • Central African Republic
  • Electric Fish / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Rivers
  • Species Specificity