Morphological and molecular characterization of Ameloblastella pirarara sp. n. (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) parasitizing the large Amazonian catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

In this study, integrative taxonomy is applied to describe a new dactylogyrid species, Ameloblastella pirarara sp. n. from the gills of Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, commercially and ecologically important Amazonian catfish. can be distinguished its congeners mainly by morphology male copulatory organ (MCO), accessory piece, anchors. The species most resembles unapi, Peruvian Amazon, but differs it number MCO rings, vaginal canal sclerotized structures haptor. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences partial 28S rDNA (D1-D2 domains) gene placed in well-supported subclade spp. parasites Neotropical siluriform fish, as sister taxon unapioides. Thus, described herein expands our knowledge diversity monogenoid freshwater fish.