Second record of Argulus mongolianus Tokioka, 1939 (Branchiura: Argulidae), an ectoparasite of freshwater fishes, in Japan

Abstract

Examination of Japanese eels Anguilla japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1846 from Kadota Reservoir, Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan, revealed the infection by Argulus mongolianus Tokioka, 1939 in the eel buccal cavity. This is the second record of A. mongolianus in Japan and extends its distributional range from Miyagi Prefecture, northern Honshu, southwestward to Fukuoka Prefecture, northern Kyushu. Anguilla japonica represents a new host record. The specimens of both sexes of A. mongolianus are briefly described. This paper suggests that the parasite has been co-introduced with non-native fish hosts into Kadota Reservoir and other inland waters in northern Kyushu.