Weketrema gen. n., a new genus for Weketrema hawaiiense (Yamaguti, 1970) comb. n. (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) recently found in Australian marine fishes

Folia Parasitol (Praha). 2001;48(2):109-14. doi: 10.14411/fp.2001.016.

Abstract

A new genus, Weketrema, is erected in the family Lecithasteridae for the species hitherto known as Lecithophyllum hawaiiense. Weketrema hawaiiense (Yamaguti, 1970) comb. n. is redescribed from Scolopsis bilineatus (Bloch) (Perciformes: Nemipteridae) from Lizard Island and Heron Island, Queensland, Plectorhinchus gibbosus (Lacepède) (Perciformes: Haemulidae) from Heron Island and Cheilodactylus nigripes Richardson (Perciformes: Cheilodactylidae) and Latridopsis forsteri (Castelnau) (Perciformes: Latridae) from Stanley, northern Tasmania. The new genus is distinguished from related members of the family Lecithasteridae by its complete lack of a sinus-sac. Although placed in the subfamily Lecithasterinae pro tem, its true subfamily position is not entirely clear. Comment is made on its unusual distribution, both in terms of zoogeography and hosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fishes / parasitology*
  • Microscopy, Interference
  • Queensland
  • Tasmania
  • Trematoda / anatomy & histology
  • Trematoda / classification*