Taxonomic revision of the Atlantic and Pacific species of Ligophorus (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) from mullets (Teleostei, Mugilidae) with the proposal of a new genus and description of four new species.

A revision of the Atlantic and Pacific species of Ligophorus Euzet et Suriano, 1977 based on abundant newly sampled material from mugilids of the Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Japan and South China Sea, as well as available type and voucher specimens, is presented. All 35 nominal species of Ligophorus known from the Atlantic and the Pacific waters are treated. Of them, 30 are considered valid, one incertae sedis (L. leporinus), one species inquirendae (L. chongmingensis), two junior synonyms (L. euzeti and L. gussevi) and one is transferred to another genus. Three new species of Ligophorus are described: L. triangularis, L. miroshnichenki, and L. rectus. An amended diagnosis of Ligophorus is gi…