Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi
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| Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Class: | Monogenea |
| Order: | Gyrodactylidea |
| Family: | Gyrodactylidae |
| Genus: | Gyrodactylus |
| Species: | G. leptorhynchi |
| Binomial name | |
| Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi Cone, Appy, Baggett, King, Gilmore & Abbott, 2013 | |
Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi is a small monogenean (about 0.5 mm long) obligate ectoparasite which parasitizes freshwater bay pipefish. Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi is the seventh Gyrodactylus species known to infect bay pipefish and the first characterized along the Pacific coast of North America.[1] The parasite can get into captive fish environments, such as fish farms and aquariums, where it may spread in as little as 10 days.[1] Gyrodactylus species are known to centralize on the brood pouch in male fish, this may allow[2] for transmission to newly hatched young. However, in Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi the parasite was found mostly found attached to body surfaces such as the dorsal fins.[1]
Gyrodactylus species are skin flukes that have direct life cycles of about 1 to 5 days, with no intermediate hosts or stages and are viviparous (uterus of embryo contains an embryo which contains a third embryo in its uterus, so young can give live birth[3]). Damage to the host is caused by the marginal hook, this hook can cause tissue damage as well as irritation.[3]
Morphology
Gyrodactylus leptorhynchi has a bilobed cephalic region containing cephalic glands, pharynx, indistinct esophagus, intestinal crura, stout hamuli, male reproductive system (including brood pouch) with no evident seminal vesicle, prostatic glands and vas deferens in male systems, a marginal hook (used for attaching to the host) and spiked sensilla[1] (sensing organ).