Microcotyle pontica

Microcotyle pontica is a species of monogenean, parasitic on the gills of a marine fish. It belongs to the family Microcotylidae. It was first described and illustrated from the gills of the east Atlantic peacock wrasse Symphodus tinca (Labridae) (referred to as Crenilabrus tinca in the original description), from the Black Sea.

Description
Microcotyle pontica has the general morphology of all species of Microcotyle, with a symmetrical body, comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the haptor. The haptor is symmetrical, and bears clamps, arranged as two rows, one on each side. The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the gill of the fish. There are also two buccal suckers at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a pharynx, an oesophagus and a posterior intestine with two lateral branches provided with numerous secondary branches. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. The reproductive organs include an anterior genital atrium, armed with numerous very spines, a medio-dorsal vagina, a single ovary and a number of testes which are posterior to the ovary.

Hosts and localities
The type-host of Microcotyle pontica is the east Atlantic peacock wrasse Symphodus tinca (Labridae). The type-locality is off Sevastopol, Black Sea.