Redescription and molecular characterisation of the fish parasitic isopod Norileca indica (Milne Edwards, 1840) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) with a key to the genus

Abstract

Norileca indica (Milne Edwards, 1840) is fully redescribed based on ovigerous females collected from Maputo Bay, Mozambique, from the branchial cavity of the fish host Selar crumenophthalmus Bloch, 1793. An identification key to the species of Norileca Bruce, 1990 is given. Furthermore, a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene from N. indica was sequenced for the first time. This is the first molecular characterisation of a species of Norileca.

Keywords: branchial cavity, cymothoid, genetic characterisation, Norileca, Selar crumenophthalmus, taxonomy