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.
General References
Boeger, W.A. & Kritsky, D.C. 1989. Phylogeny, coevolution, and revision of the Hexabothriidae Price, 1942 (Monogenea). International Journal for Parasitology 19: 425-440
Glennon, V., Chisholm, L.A. & Whittington, I.D. 2005. Branchotenthes octohamatus sp. n. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from the gills of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) in South Australia: description of adult and larva. Folia Parasitologica. Prague 52: 223-230
Price, E.W. 1942. North American monogenetic trematodes. V. The family Hexabothriidae, n. n. (Polystomatoidea). Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington 9: 39-56
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |