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Family HEXABOTHRIIDAE Price, 1942

Introduction

The Hexabothriidae Price, 1942 includes polyopisthocotylean monogeneans exclusively parasitic on the gills of elasmobranch and holocephalan fishes (Chondrichthyes). Since the first hexabothriid was discovered by Kuhn (1829), over 60 species have been described from almost as many host species. Currently however, the taxonomy of the Hexabothriidae is in a state of confusion. Boeger and Kritsky (1989) have undertaken the only comprehensive familial revision. They recognised 13 genera but declared many species incertae sedis, suggesting these species as likely representatives of presently unrecognised genera (Glennon et al. 2005).

Four genera are represented in Australia: Callorhynchocotyle Suriano & Incorvaia, 1982; Pseudohexabothrium Brinkman, 1952; Squalonchocotyle cerfontaine, 1898 and Branchotenthes Bullard & Dippenar, 2003, proposed well after Boeger & Kritsky's revision. Australia's rish chondrichthyan fauna is likely to support an undisclosed diversity of hexabothriids.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
12-Feb-2010 (import)