Monogenean <i>Sparicotyle chrysophrii</i>: The major pathogen of the Mediterranean gilthead seabream aquaculture

Following the intensification of Mediterranean aquaculture over years, Sparicotyle (syn. Microcotyle) chrysophrii (van Beneden and Hesse, 1863; Microcotylidae, Monogenea) became one most pathogenic ectoparasites for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) aquaculture. It has demonstrated a remarkable versatility to expand its known host range, accomplish an efficient transfer between wild farmed sparid populations wide geographic areas, establish itself as detrimental pathogen. Even though incidence S. is closely monitored in marine system throughout Mediterranean, there general lack recent publicly available data on epidemiology. Being considered parasite whose proliferation expected increase under global warming conditions, such additionally humpers implementation integrated pest management strategy at national level. While EU scientific initiatives greatly contributed our understanding biology, ecology sparicotylosis treatment pathogenesis, more ahead elucidate about mitigation diseases, particularly towards development genomic selection breeding programs parasite-resilient seabream, omic-based screening novel drug targets reversed vaccinology.