New Records of Neobenedenia girellae (Hargis, 1955) (Monogenea: Capsalidae) in Marine Ornamental Fish Imported to Yucatan, Mexico

We detected Neobenedenia girellae infections in 40 species belonging to 12 families of imported marine ornamental fish from a public aquarium the Mexican state Yucatan. A total 348 specimens were examined for monogeneans January 2018 December 2020. Monogeneans corroborated morphologically and molecularly with partial sequence 28S (region D1–D3) ribosomal DNA analyzed molecular phylogenetic context combination other N. sequences available GenBank. The tree revealed that specimen found consistently belonged clade. High infection parameters most hosts. This identification is relevant aquarists aquaculturists Gulf Mexico because considered highly pathogenic confined fish. work demonstrates importation coupled deficient sanitary measures (lack quarantine areas distribution centers) contributes spread parasites their establishment within Mexico.