Microcotyle brevis facts for kids

Microcotyle brevis is a tiny parasite that lives on fish. It is a type of monogenean worm, which means it lives on the outside of its host. This worm attaches itself to the gills of marine fish. It belongs to a group of worms called the Microcotylidae family.

Discovering Microcotyle brevis

Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group living things. Microcotyle brevis was first described by two scientists, Dillon and Hargis, in 1965. They found this worm on the gills of a fish called the striped triplefin (Forsterygion varium).

The scientists only had one specimen of the worm to study. This made it hard to get all the details about it. Sadly, this only specimen was accidentally destroyed while being sent to a museum. This means scientists need to find more of these worms to study them better.

What Microcotyle brevis Looks Like

Microcotyle brevis has a body shape similar to other worms in its group. It has two main parts. The front part holds most of its important organs. The back part is called a haptor.

The haptor is special because it helps the worm stick to the fish's gill. It has 60 small structures called clamps. These clamps are arranged in two rows, one on each side. Even though they are different sizes, they all help the worm hold on tight.

At the very front of the worm, near its mouth, there are two suckers. These suckers have tiny, tooth-like bumps.

Inside the worm, its digestive system starts with a mouth. Food then goes through a small throat area called a pharynx, then a short tube called an oesophagus, and finally into its intestine. The intestine has many branches. Like many worms, Microcotyle brevis has both male and female reproductive organs.

Where Microcotyle brevis Lives

The striped triplefin Forsterygion varium is the main fish host for Microcotyle brevis.

The main fish that Microcotyle brevis lives on is the striped triplefin, also known as Forsterygion varium. This fish belongs to the Tripterygiidae family.

The first time Microcotyle brevis was found was in a place called Akaroa, which is off the coast of New Zealand.