Parasites of marine Perciformes; so far known only fronn 

 Sciaenidae. 



The type and only genus, Rhamnoce reus Monaco, Wood and 

 Mizelle, 1954. 



At the present time the description of only one species, R. 

 rhamnocercus Monaco, Wood, and Mizelle, 1954, from Unnbrina roncador 

 Jord. and Gilb. from California (U. S. A. ), has been published. Besides 

 this, two more, also from several species of Sciaenidae from North 

 America, which so far have not been described are at our disposal. 



The anatomical structure of all species is very similar 

 and is also close to Diplectaninae and basically they differ by the nature of and 

 location and form of the attaching armature and also by the structure of the 

 copulatory organ. The intestinal trunks extend to the beginning of the "stem" 

 and possibly merge at the posterior end. Just as among Diplectaninae 



2 



This is not clear because of the poor preservation of the material; 

 however, in whole mounts it is apparent that the intestinal trunks approach 

 each other and it is probable that they merge. 



the upper part of the ovary embraces one trunk of the intestine in connection 

 with which it has a peculiar retort-shaped form. There is a vaginal duct 

 opening on the side of the body. Just as the authors had supposed the edge 

 hooks number 14 {in their text 12 or 14 are indicated). At the same time, 

 the presence of a cuticular "scale" and the presence of cuticular thorns which 

 is customary for Diplectaninae is characteristic. The latter apparently 

 fall off rather easily among dying specimens, which is described by the 

 authors. This forces us to evaluate the data about the nature of the dis- 

 tribution of the number of chitinous thorns on the "stem" of the disc very 

 carefully. Without any doubt the subfamily is linked genetically more 

 closely with representatives of the genus Lepidotrema than any other. 



3. Family Protogyrodactylidae Johnston and Tiegs, 1922 



(Figs. 29,99) 



Primitive small worms (Gyrodactyloidea of authors) with 

 greater width than length, with a strongly developed attaching disc bearing 

 2 pairs of relatively large attaching hooks and numerous small little hooks 

 which are somewhat larger than the usual ones (apparently existing among p. 360 

 other lowest groups, B. B. ). The cephalic glands open in front of the well- 

 demarcated cephalic organs (by clusters of ducts--B. B. ). Here also is 



427 



