The taxonomy of the monogenetic trematode Plectanocotyle gurnardi (v. Ben. & Hesse)

Specimens of Plectanocotyle gurnardi were obtained by the writer from the gills of Trigla cuculus L. and T. gurnardus L. during trawling operations at the Irish Atlantic Slope fishing grounds in August 1938 and July 1939. One specimen of Plectanocotyle gurnardi was collected from a Trigla gurnardus and seven specimens of the same parasite from eight specimens of T. cuculus, the greatest degree of infestation encountered being 3 parasites per host fish. Plectanocotyle gurnardi has been recorded previously, under one or other of the synonyms listed above, from Trigla gurnardus by van Beneden & Hesse (1863), T. Scott (1901, 1905), A. Scott (1904), Lebour (1908), and Little (1929); from T. lucerna L. by A. Scott & Little; and from Trigla ‘sp.’ by Monticelli (1899). It will be noted that the present records of the parasite are from its usual host T. gurnardus and from a new host T. cuculus.