MONOGENEA OF MARINE FISH AT TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA

摘要

Monogeneans are flatworms (Platyhelminthes) that attach to the skin and gills of fish by a posterior attachment organ, the opisthaptor. Species identification is mostly based on the characteristics of the opisthaptor and the detail of the genital atrium. The aim of this project was to study the diversity of monogeneans found on the gills of marine fish collected at the Tsitsikamma National Park. Marine fish were thus sampled using hand lines and anaesthetized by means of clove oil. The gills were removed and scanned for parasites using a dissection microscope, wherafter specimens were mounted in ammonium picrate for light microscopy and fixed in 2,5% glutaraldehyde for scanning electron microscopy. They were routinely processed and viewed in a Leica Stereoscan 420 SEM.