New nematode species, Orientatractis mekongensis n. sp. (Atractidae) and Neosynodontisia suratthaniensis n. g., n. sp. (Pharyngodonidae) from freshwater fishes in Thailand

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, two new species of nematode parasites are described from freshwater fishes in Thailand: Orientatractis mekongensis n. sp. (Atractidae) from the intestine of Pangasius bocourti Sauvage (type-host) and Helicophagus leptorhynchus Ng & Kottelat (both Pangasiidae, Siluriformes), and Neosynodontisia suratthaniensis n. sp. (Pharyngodonidae) from the intestine of Labiobarbus siamensis (Sauvage) (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes), for which a new genus Neosynodontisia n. g. is established. Orientatractismekongensis is mainly characterised by the number and distribution of caudal papillae (2 preanal, 1 adanal and 5 postanal pairs), the length of the left spicule (306–384 µm) and large body sizes (length of males and gravid females 5.4–6.7 mm and 7.8–9.0 mm, respectively). Neosynodontisia differs from other pharyngodonid genera with representatives parasitic in fishes not only by some morphological features (mouth withdrawn into the cephalic end with inflated cuticle, structure of the male caudal end, filamented eggs), but mainly by the occurrence of males inside the body of females. A key to the genera of the Pharyngodonidae with representatives parasitising fishes is provided.