Some Aspects of the Biology of Monogenean (Platyhelminth) Parasites of Marine and Freshwater Fishes

Muller was the first to describe a monogenean, collected from the skin of the halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). However, he regarded the parasite as a leech and named it Hirudo hippoglossi. It was not until 1858 that its status as a monogenean was established by van Beneden and named Epibdella (now Entobdella)hippoglossi. 

Van Beneden published a detailed and accurate description of the parasite and one of his excellent illustrations is reproduced. Entobdella hippoglossi is one of the largest monogeneans, measuring up to 2 cm in length. It has a smaller relative, measuring 5 to 6 mm in length, which was described by van Beneden and Hesse in 1864 and named Phyllonella (now Entobdella) soleae from the skin of the Dover or common sole, Solea solea. This parasite is now perhaps the best known monogenean in terms of its biology. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>