Molecular and morphological characterisation of the metacercariae of two species of Cardiocephaloides (Digenea: Strigeidae) infecting endemic South African klipfish (Perciformes: Clinidae)

South African clinids are a major component of the temperate intertidal regions that also known to participate in life cycles and transmission several groups parasites. However, knowledge trematode diversity these fishes is incomplete. In this study, two species Clinus Cuvier, super klipfish superciliosus (Linnaeus) bluntnose cottoides Valenciennes, were collected from six localities along coast examined for presence trematodes. Metacercariae Cardiocephaloides Sudarikov, 1959 found eye vitreous humour brain C. cottoides. Detailed analyses integrating morphological molecular sequence data (28S rDNA, ITS2 rDNA-region, COI mtDNA) revealed belong species, physalis (Lutz, 1926) an unknown Cardiocephaloides. This study provides first report clinid serving as intermediate hosts trematodes, reveals Africa higher than previously recorded, highlights need further research elucidate species. The broad geographical distribution spp. was confirmed present based on data. host-parasite interactions between metacercariae yet be explored.