Pseudorhabdosynochus bouaini

Pseudorhabdosynochus bouaini, squamodiscs and haptoral parts

Pseudorhabdosynochus bouaini is a small monogenean. The species has the general characteristics of other species of Pseudorhabdosynochus, with a flat body and a posterior haptor, which is the organ by which the monogenean attaches itself to the gill of is host. The haptor bears two squamodiscs, one ventral and one dorsal. The sclerotized male copulatory organ, or "quadriloculate organ", has the shape of a bean with four internal chambers, as in other species of Pseudorhabdosynochus. The vagina includes a sclerotized part, which is a complex structure.

Chaabane, Neifar, and Justine, in 2017 considered that the three species Pseudorhabdosynochus riouxi, Pseudorhabdosynochus bouaini, and Pseudorhabdosynochus enitsuji shared a common general structure of the sclerotized vagina with a conspicuous spherical secondary chamber and proposed to accommodate them within a ‘Pseudorhabdosynochus riouxi group’.[2]

The Goldblotch grouper Mycteroperca costae is the type-host of Pseudorhabdosynochus bouaini. The type-locality is the Mediterranean Sea off Tunisia.[1]