The description of a new diplozoid species, Paradiplozoon krugerense n. sp., from Labeo rosae Steindachner, 1894 and Labeo congoro Peters, 1852 in the Kruger National Park, South Africa with notes on the effect of water quality on its infection variables

During routine parasitological surveys in the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, between 1990 and 1992, diplozoid specimens were collected from two indigenous cyprinid species: Labeo rosae Steindachner, 1894 and Labeo congoro Peters, 1852. The specimens were studied morphologically and found to represent a new diplozoid taxon. These specimens, with additional specimens collected from L. rosae in Flag Boshielo Dam in 2012 for both morphological and genetic information, are described here as Paradiplozoon krugerense n. sp. This diplozoid taxon can be distinguished from other diplozoids on the basis of morphology and morphometry, in particular the shape of the anterior end of the median sclerite and the size of the central hooks. Additionally, the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of rDNA was used to confirm the molecular distinctness of this species. The infection variables of this species during the collections at three sites along the Olifants River in the KNP, as well as the Selati River west of the Park (1990–1992), showed some correlation to water quality and trace element concentrations. Specifically, the prevalence of infection decreased with a decrease in water quality and an increase in concentration of certain trace elements.