Redescription and molecular characterization of two species of Pauciconfibula (Monogenea, Microcotylidae) from trachinid fishes in the Mediterranean Sea

Many Pauciconfibula spp. have a long and complicated taxonomic history. The remaining unsolved confusion in this genus is impelled by the host range status of from trachinid fishes: trachini draconis, Trachinus radiatus draco (Trachinidae), respectively. was reported on draco, type draconis suggesting thus stenoxenic specificity for former monogenean occurrence two congeneric polyopisthocotyleans single host. Moreover, validity repeatedly questioned several authors, unjustified synonymy between species proposed, delimitations remained unsolved. Original descriptions were also incomplete poorly illustrated. In study, we provide detailed illustrated redescription both based newly collected specimens their hosts off three Mediterranean localities: Algeria, Tunisia, Italy. Integrative taxonomy using COI sequences applied to resolve delimitation P. draconis. This study provides first DNA barcoding members genus.