Pseudorhabdosynochus crassus

Pseudorhabdosynochus crassus is a species of diplectanid monogenean that is parasitic on the gills of the camouflage grouper Epinephelus polyphekadion. It was described in 2011.

Description
Pseudorhabdosynochus crassus is a small monogenean, 0.3-0.6 mm in length. The species has the general characteristics of other species of Pseudorhabdosynochus, with a flat body and a posterior haptor, which is the organ by which the monogenean attaches itself to the gill of is host. The haptor bears two squamodiscs, one ventral and one dorsal. The sclerotized male copulatory organ, or "quadriloculate organ", has the shape of a bean with four internal chambers, as in other species of Pseudorhabdosynochus.

The vagina includes a sclerotized part, which is a complex structure.

Etymology
The species Pseudorhabdosynochus crassus was named after its host fish. According to the authors, the specific appellation crassus (Latin for thick, gross, dense) is the origin of ‘crasseuse’, the common French name for the host ("Loche crasseuse") in New Caledonia.

Hosts and localities


The type-host and only recorded host of P. crassus is the camouflage grouper Epinephelus polyphekadion. The type-locality and only recorded locality is the barrier reef off Nouméa, New Caledonia.