Microcotyle otrynteri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Microcotyle otrynteri |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
| Class: | Monogenea |
| Order: | Mazocraeidea |
| Family: | Microcotylidae |
| Genus: | Microcotyle |
| Species: |
M. otrynteri
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| Binomial name | |
| Microcotyle otrynteri Pearse, 1949
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Microcotyle otrynteri is a tiny parasite that lives on the gills of a marine fish. It's a type of Monogenea, which means it's a flatworm that spends its whole life on one host. This little creature belongs to a family of parasites called Microcotylidae.
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What is Microcotyle otrynteri?
Scientists first officially described Microcotyle otrynteri in 1949. A scientist named Pearse found four of these parasites on one fish. When scientists "describe" a species, they give it a name and explain its features so others can identify it. Another scientist, Hendrix, later said that we still need to learn more about this species because the first description wasn't very detailed.
How Microcotyle otrynteri Looks
Microcotyle otrynteri looks a lot like other species in its group, Microcotyle. It has a thin body that is widest in the middle and gets narrower at both ends. The front part of its body is a bit wider.
The body has two main parts:
- The front part holds most of its important organs.
- The back part is called the haptor. This haptor is super important because it helps the parasite stick to the fish.
Special Sticking Parts
The haptor has 40 special clamps. These clamps are arranged in two close rows, one on each side. They work like tiny pincers, grabbing onto the fish's gills to keep the parasite attached.
At the very front of the parasite, there are two suckers near its mouth. These are called buccal suckers.
Inside the Parasite
The parasite's mouth is at the very front. After the mouth, there's a muscular tube called a pharynx. This helps it suck in food. The food then goes into its intestine, which has two branches that run along the sides of its body.
Like many parasites, each adult Microcotyle otrynteri has both male and female reproductive organs.
Where the Name Comes From
The second part of the parasite's name, otrynteri, comes from the name of the fish it lives on. That fish is called Otrynter caprinus.
How Scientists Identify It
According to Pearse, the scientist who first described it, you can tell Microcotyle otrynteri apart from other similar parasites by a small bump (called a dorsal papilla) above its mouth. Also, the number and type of clamps on its haptor are unique.
Where It Lives
The only known host for Microcotyle otrynteri is the fish Otrynter caprinus. This fish is a type of Sparidae, which are often called porgies or sea breams.
So far, this parasite has only been found in one place: off the coast of North Carolina in the United States.
