RHIPIDOCOTYLE-GENOVI N-SP (DIGENEA, BUCEPHALIDAE) FROM THE INTESTINE OF GAIDROPSARUS-MEDITERRANEUS (L) (GADIFORMES, GADIDAE) FROM THE BLACK-SEA

Rhipidocotyle genovi n. sp. is described from the fish Gaidropsarus me diterraneus (L.) (Gadiformes: Gadidae) in the Black Sea. Morphological features characteristic of this species include: an anterior sucker w ith seven prominent muscular appendages; a pharynx rather posterior in position; ovary and testes relatively anterior in position, usually a nterior to the pharynx; a long (in relation to body length) sucker, ci rrus-sac and excretory vesicle; the presence of a pre-oral lip; and co ntiguous vitelline fields which form an arch. The new species is disti nguished from R. galeata, R. lamberti and Bucephalus marinum. This is the first member of the genus whose adults are recovered from Black Se a marine fishes. Metacercariae, which encyst in large numbers in the m usculature and fins of the blenniid fishes Blennius tentacularis, B. s anguinolentus, B pave, B. sphinx and B. zvonimiri and exhibit a simila r morphology to the adult, are described.