Four New Species of Synodontella Dossou et Euzet, 1993 (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) Gills Parasites of Synodontis clarias from the Bagoué River (North-Western Ivory Coast).

INTRODUCTION: A survey of monogenean parasites on the gills of Synodontis clarias was carried out in Ivory Coast. Five species of monogeneans were found, of which four are new to science and are newly described here.

METHODS: The monogeneans were individually isolated from the gill and transferred directly onto a slide in a drop of glycerin ammonium picrate mixture (GAP). The haptor and the hard part of the copulatory complex were measured and drawings made using Motic BA310 microscope and Motic Image Plus 2.0 and Corel Draw software.

RESULTS: Five species of Synodontella including four new to science were described. Synodontella anohmangniae n. sp., Synodontella antoineparisellei n. sp., Synodontella clariasi n. sp. and Synodontella samorossoensis n. sp. differ from the previously described Synodontella species mainly in the morphology of their male copulatory organs (MCO). Synodontella anohmangniae n. sp. is distinguishable by the dorsal transverse bar with a small point at each extremity of the concavity in its central part. Synodontella antoineparisellei n. sp. differs from all other known Synodontella spp. in the morphology of the penis, with an egg-shaped opening in its distal part. Synodontella clariasi n. sp. and Synodontella samorossoensis n. sp differs from all other described congeneric species mainly by the dorsal transverse bar surmounted by a highly sclerotized part.