# Microcotyle brevis

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{{short description|Species of worms}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = 
| image_caption =  
| genus = Microcotyle
| species = brevis
| authority = Dillon & Hargis, 1965
| synonyms = 
}}

'''''Microcotyle brevis''''' is a [species](/source/species) of [monogenean](/source/monogenean), [parasitic](/source/fish_parasites) on the [gills](/source/gills) of a marine [fish](/source/fish). It belongs to the family [Microcotylidae](/source/Microcotylidae).<ref name="Dillon&Hargis1965">Dillon, W. A., & Hargis, W. J. (1965). Monogenetic trematodes from the southern Pacific Ocean. 2. Polyopisthocotyleids from New Zealand fishes: the families Discocotylidae, Microcotylidae, Axinidae and Gastrocotylidae. Antarctic Research Series, 5, 251-280.</ref>

==Taxonomy==
''Microcotyle brevis'' was first described by Dillon & Hargis in 1965, based on one specimen from the gills of striped triplefin, ''[Forsterygion varium](/source/Forsterygion_varium)''. Dillon & Hargis (1965) noted the need for a study of this species based on more adequate material due to the contracted nature of the single specimen used for the description and thus the limitations of the given measurement. 
The type and only specimen of ''Microcotyle brevis'' was inadvertently destroyed during shipment to the U. S. National Museum.<ref name="Dillon&Hargis1965"/>

==Morphology==
''Microcotyle brevis'' has the general morphology of all species of ''[Microcotyle](/source/Microcotyle)'', with a body comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the [haptor](/source/haptor). The haptor is symmetrical, extending nearly to the level of the genital atrium and bears 60 [clamps](/source/clamp_(zoology)) similar in structure and dissimilar in size, arranged as two rows, one on each side. The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the [gill](/source/gill) of the fish. There are also two buccal [suckers](/source/sucker_(zoology)) at the anterior extremity, provided with minute sclerotized tooth-like papillae. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a pharynx, a relatively short [oesophagus](/source/oesophagus) and a posterior [intestine](/source/intestine) bifurcating at the level of the genital atrium in two lateral branches provided with numerous secondary branches. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. The reproductive organs include an anterior  genital atrium, armed with numerous very [spines](/source/spine_(zoology)), a medio-dorsal [vagina](/source/vagina), a single [ovary](/source/ovary) and 2-3 postovarian [testes](/source/testicle) which are posterior to the ovary. The egg is provided with filaments at both ends.<ref name="Dillon&Hargis1965"/>

==Diagnosis==
''Microcotyle brevis'' differs from other congeners by body size, the haptor coinciding with the greater part of the body proper, and by the number of testes.<ref name="Dillon&Hargis1965"/>

==Hosts and localities==
[[File:Variable triplefin.JPG|thumb|left|The striped triplefin ''[Forsterygion varium](/source/Forsterygion_varium)'' is the type-host of ''Microcotyle brevis'']]
The type-host is the striped triplefin, ''[Forsterygion varium](/source/Forsterygion_varium)'' ([Tripterygiidae](/source/Tripterygiidae)). The type-locality is [Akaroa](/source/Akaroa) off [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).<ref name="Dillon&Hargis1965"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2705053}}

Category:Microcotyle
Category:Animals described in 1965
Category:Parasites of fish
Category:Worms of New Zealand

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Microcotyle brevis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcotyle_brevis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcotyle_brevis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.