Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus facts for kids

Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus is a tiny flatworm that lives as a parasite on fish. It belongs to a group called Monogenea. These worms attach themselves to the gills of grouper fish. Scientists first officially described this species in 2007.

What is Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus?

This worm's name, minutus, comes from a Latin word meaning "small." This is a perfect name because these worms are very tiny! They are only about 230 to 550 micrometers long. To give you an idea, a micrometer is one-millionth of a meter. That's smaller than the width of a human hair!

How does this tiny worm look?

Like other worms in its family, Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus has a flat body. It also has a special part at its back called a haptor. This haptor is like a strong suction cup. The worm uses it to hold on tightly to the gills of its host fish.

The haptor has two disc-like structures called squamodiscs. One squamodisc is on the bottom (ventral) side, and the other is on the top (dorsal) side. These discs help the worm stay attached and not get washed away by the water flowing over the fish's gills.

Where does Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus live?

This small parasite has a specific home. It lives on a type of fish called the grouper Cephalopholis sonnerati. This particular grouper is known as the "type-host" for Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus.

Where was this worm first found?

The first place scientists found Pseudorhabdosynochus minutus was near the barrier reef off Nouméa. This area is located in New Caledonia, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.