# Microcotyle lichiae

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{{short description|Species of worms}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = 
| image_caption = 
| genus = Microcotyle
| species = lichiae
| authority = Ariola, 1899
| synonyms = *''Microcotyle (Microcotyle) lichiae'' <small>(Ariola, 1899) Unnithan1971</small> <ref name=Ariola1899/><ref name="Unnithan1971"/>
}}

'''''Microcotyle lichiae''''' 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=Ariola1899>Ariola, V. (1899). Di alcuni trematodi di pesci marini. Bollettino dei Musei e Laboratori di Zoologia e Anatomia Comparata della R. Università di Genova, 4(81), 1-12. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/242375#page/121/mode/1up.pdf {{open access}}</ref>

==Taxonomy==
''Microcotyle lichiae'' was described by Ariola in 1899, from the gills of the leerfish ''[Lichia amia](/source/Lichia_amia)'' ([Carangidae](/source/Carangidae)). <ref name=Ariola1899/> Unnithan (1971) placed ''M. lichiae'' in the nominal subgenus ''Microcotyle'' as ''Microcotyle (Microcotyle) lichiae''. <ref name="Unnithan1971">Unnithan, R. V. (1971). On the functional morphology of a new fauna of Monogenoidea on fishes from Trivandrum and environs. Part IV. Microcotylidae sensu stricto and its repartition into subsidiary taxa. American Midland Naturalist, 366-398.</ref> However, this combination was suppressed by Mamaev in 1986. <ref name="Mamaev1986">Mamaev, Y. L. (1986). The taxonomical composition of the family Microcotylidae Taschenberg, 1879 (Monogenea). Folia Parasitologica, 33, 199-206. [https://folia.paru.cas.cz/pdfs/fol/1986/03/02.pdf PDF] {{open access}}</ref>

== Morphology==
''Microcotyle lichiae'' has the general morphology of all species of ''[Microcotyle](/source/Microcotyle)'', with a flat body 0.5&nbsp;mm in length, comprising an anterior part which contains most organs and a posterior part called the [haptor](/source/haptor). The haptor is asymmetrical and bears 52 [clamps](/source/Clamp_(zoology)), arranged in two rows (31 in one row, 21 on the other). The clamps of the haptor attach the animal to the [gill](/source/gill) of the fish. There are also two small ellipsoidal and aseptate [buccal suckers](/source/buccal_suckers) at the anterior extremity. The digestive organs include an anterior, terminal mouth, a muscular pharynx, and a posterior [intestine](/source/intestine) with two lateral blind-ending branches. Each adult contains male and female reproductive organs. 

According to Ariola,<ref name=Ariola1899/> the male reproductive organs include an anterior genital atrium with [spines](/source/Spine_(zoology)), posterior to the intestinal bifurcation; a [vas deferens](/source/vas_deferens) opening in the genital atrium; and a number of [testes](/source/testes) posterior to the [ovary](/source/ovary) and arranged in two simple and parallel rows. Each testes has a canalicum, which sends its products in the common vas deferens. The arrangement and shape of the spines of the genital atrium differs from what was observed in the congeners. The [spines](/source/Spine_(zoology)) are very numerous and ordered in five concentric rings, which present, progressively, an ever decreasing number; their dimensions are not constant. The female reproductive organs comprises a dorsal [vagina](/source/vagina) unarmed and elongated transversely; a single median [ovary](/source/ovary), immediately below the vaginal opening giving rises to [uterus](/source/uterus); a uterus, opening in the genital atrium as well. Eggs have a distinct oval shape, with filaments at each end.

==Etymology==
The specific name of this species, ''lichiae'', relates to the genitive form of the generic name of the type host fish, ''[Lichia amia](/source/Lichia_amia)''.<ref name=Ariola1899/>

==Hosts and localities==
[[Image:Lichia amia00.jpg|thumb|left|The leerfish ''[Lichia amia](/source/Lichia_amia)'' is the type host of ''Microcotyle lichiae'']]
The type-host is the leerfish ''[Lichia amia](/source/Lichia_amia)'' ([Carangidae](/source/Carangidae)). The type-locality is off [Genova](/source/Genoa), [Italy](/source/Italy).<ref name=Ariola1899/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q4513848}}

Category:Microcotyle
Category:Animals described in 1899
Category:Parasites of fish
Category:Invertebrates of Italy

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