Molecular and Morphological Characterizations of the Fish Parasitic Isopod Mothocya parvostis (Crustacea: Cymothoidae) Parasitizing Optional Intermediate Hosts: Juveniles of the Cobaltcap Silverside Hypoatherina tsurugae and Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus latus.

ABSTRACT: Mothocya parvostis (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) is a parasitic crustacean that infests the opercular cavities of fishes. Its main final host is the Japanese halfbeak, Hyporhamphus sajori. However, M. parvostis also infests the black sea bream, Acanthopagrus schelgelii, as an optional intermediate host. Understanding the use of optional intermediate hosts is important for understanding the life history of Cymothoidae, and further information should be obtained. In this study, we aim to investigate the life cycle of M. parvostis. We collected and examined 20 mancae and 144 juveniles of M. parvostis from 129 cobaltcap silversides, Hypoatherina tsurugae, and 494 yellowfin seabreams, Acanthopagrus latus. Molecular analysis of the cytochrome c

SUBMITTER: Fujita H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10318039 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature