This study revisits the taxonomy of
Anthocotyle merluccii, originally described from the European hake
Merluccius merluccius in the northeast Atlantic, addressing discrepancies in clamp morphology across populations. The original description from Belgium noted near-equal anterior clamp sizes, contrasting with populations from Plymouth
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This study revisits the taxonomy of
Anthocotyle merluccii, originally described from the European hake
Merluccius merluccius in the northeast Atlantic, addressing discrepancies in clamp morphology across populations. The original description from Belgium noted near-equal anterior clamp sizes, contrasting with populations from Plymouth (Atlantic) and the Mediterranean, which show marked size differences, questioning their conspecificity. We describe
A. radkeaminorum n. sp. from
M. merluccius in the western Mediterranean (off Algeria), distinguished from
A. merluccii (Belgium) by differing anterior clamp size, genital atrium spine number, and overall anterior clamp dimensions. Populations from Plymouth, previously attributed to
A. merluccii, are herein assigned to
A. aff.
merluccii based on differences in morphometrical traits pending further investigations. Additionally,
A. radkeaminorum n. sp. differs from
A. americanus in body and clamp size, atrial spine count, and hosts. Based on analysis of morphological and molecular data, we refute the synonymy of
A. merluccii and
A. americanus, and we reinstate the latter as a valid species. The distinction between
A. merluccii and
A. americanus was further supported by divergence in
cox1 gene sequences analyzed from GenBank (10–11%). Finally, inconsistencies in terminal lappet hook morphology are discussed, cautioning against its use in species delineation. This work highlights the need for continued research to resolve species relationships within this genus.
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