Microcotyle archosargi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Microcotyle archosargi |
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| Microcotyle archosargi, original description | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microcotyle
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| Species: |
archosargi
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| Synonyms | |
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Microcotyle Scintillovulva archosargi Unnithan, 1971 Paramicrocotyle archosargi (MacCallum, 1913) Caballero & Bravo-Hollis, 1965 |
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Microcotyle archosargi is a tiny worm that lives on fish. It is a type of monogenean, which means it's a parasite that lives on just one host during its life. This specific parasite lives on the gills of marine fish.
It belongs to a family of parasites called Microcotylidae. A scientist named MacCallum first described this species in 1913. He studied ten examples of the worm to learn about it.
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How Scientists Classify Microcotyle archosargi
Scientists often study and re-classify living things to make sure they are grouped correctly. This helps us understand how different species are related.
Over the years, Microcotyle archosargi has had its name and group changed a few times. For example, in 1971, a scientist named Unnithan suggested a new name for it. Later, other scientists tried to move it to a different genus (a group of closely related species) called Paramicrocotyle.
However, after more study, scientists decided that Microcotyle archosargi should stay in the original Microcotyle genus. This shows how science is always learning and updating our knowledge!
What Microcotyle archosargi Looks Like
Microcotyle archosargi has a flat body, similar to a small leaf. It has two main parts. The front part holds most of its important organs. The back part is called the haptor.
The haptor is special because it helps the worm stick to its host fish. It has many small clamps arranged in two rows, one on each side. These clamps are like tiny pincers that grip onto the fish's gills.
At the very front of the worm, there are two small suckers near its mouth. Its digestive system starts with a mouth, then a muscular pharynx (like a throat), and an intestine that branches out. Each adult Microcotyle archosargi has both male and female reproductive organs.
More recently, in 2011 and 2018, scientists studied M. archosargi again. They looked at museum samples and new specimens. These studies helped them learn even more about the worm's body and even its DNA.
Where the Name Comes From
The name archosargi comes from the name of its main host fish. This fish is called Archosargus probatocephalus. So, the parasite's name tells us which fish it likes to live on!
Where Microcotyle archosargi Lives
The main fish that Microcotyle archosargi lives on is the sheepshead fish, which is scientifically known as Archosargus probatocephalus. This fish belongs to the Sparidae family.
When it was first discovered, the parasite was found on fish from the New York fish market and the New York Aquarium. It was also found on fish from Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Besides New York and Massachusetts, M. archosargi has also been found on sheepshead fish in Florida and Mexico. It can also live on another type of fish from the same family, the western Atlantic seabream, which is called Archosargus rhomboidalis.
