Bullard, S.A.; Overstreet, R.M. (2003). Elaphrobates euzeti gen. and sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Snappers (Lutjanidae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Taxonomie, écologie et évolution des métazoaires parasites. 1: 97-113.

198688

Bullard, S.A.; Overstreet, R.M

2003

1: 97-113

Publication

Elaphrobates euzeti gen. and sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) infects the heart and branchial vessels of the red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and the heart of the gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) in the Gulf of Mexico. It has ventrolateral tegumental spine rows each consisting of 4-7 spines, an oral sucker with 6-7 concentric spine rows, sinuous posterior ceca extending to the ovary and 2-4 times longer than the anterior ceca, a single mostly intercecal testis not extending beyond the lateral nerve cords, a post-testicular ovary, a dextral ootype at or immediately anterior to level of the female pore, and a postcecal and mostly post-ovarian uterus. It lacks both rosethorn-shaped spines and an auxiliary seminal vesicle. Elaphrobates euzeti achieves locomotion by reversible, wave-like undulations of the lateral body margins in conjunction with traction provided by the tegumental spines in tread-like rows. The digenean can attach by creating suction with its flat, ventrally concave body on smooth surfaces or by pinching tissue between adjacent tegumental spine rows. The eggs of this fluke are spheroid to elongate, apparently depending on the stage of miracidial development; they lodge within the afferent branchial arteries or embed within the gill epithelium. This is the first report of a blood fluke from a lutjanid and the fifth adult sanguinicolid described from fishes of the Gulf of Mexico.

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