A REDESCRIPTION OF LEPIDAUCHEN-STENOSTOMA NICOLL, 1913 (DIGENEA), ANDA REASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS OF THE GENUS LEPIDAUCHEN NICOLL, 1913

The genus Lepidauchen is discussed and defined. It is removed from the family Lepocreadiidae and placed in the family Acanthocolpidae based mainly on its possession of a uterine seminal receptacle. The type, an d only valid species, L. stenostoma, is redescribed using material fro m Labrus merula from Corsica. Material from Coris julis and Symphodus tinca from the western Mediterranean off Marseille, L. merula from the western Mediterranean off Valencia, Diplodus annularis and Lithognath us mormyrus from the Adriatic Sea off Montenegro, and Archosargus unim aculatus from Venezuela was also examined. Other nominal species are d iscussed, but none are considered valid within this genus.