Order MAZOCRAEIDEA
Introduction
The order Mazocraeidea Bychowsky, 1937 is one of only three orders containing the Polyopisthcotylea that principally infect fishes. However, the Mazocraeidea following Boeger & Kritsky (1993) comprises the majority of polyopisthcotylean families at 27. Of these, 14 are represented in Australi.
The diversity of Mazocraeidea probably represents an enormous evolutionary radiation when bony fishes themselves underwent an evolutionary explosion. Mazocraeidea typically parasitise teleost gills and use haptoral 'clamps' (attachment devices of sclerite material forming a jaw-like clasping arrangement able to grasp gill filaments (Hayward, 2005).
General References
Boeger, W.A. & Kritsky, D.C. 1993. Phylogeny and a revised classification of the Monogenoidea Bychowsky, 1937 (Platyhelminthes). Systematic Parasitology 26: 1-32
Hayward, C. 2005. Monogenea Polyopisthocotylea (ectoparastic flukes). pp. 55-63 in Rohde, K. (ed.). Marine Parasitology. Collingwood, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing 592 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |