Description of Kentmoseria vulgaris n. sp. (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) from Common Two-Banded Seabream Diplodus vulgaris (Sparidae), and Reclassification of Kentmoseria Lusitanica N. Comb. (Sirin et al., 2018) Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

The common two-banded seabream, Diplodus vulgaris, is a commercially important fish in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, yet its myxosporean parasite diversity remains unknown. To address this gap, we conducted a myxosporean survey in D. vulgaris specimens from eastern Atlantic fishing stocks. Myxospores resembling Kentmoseria were observed in the urinary bladder of 3 specimens. 18S rDNA analyses, however, identified two isolates as Bipteria lusitanica, with the third also showing highest similarity to this species. Morphological comparison revealed significant overlap between B. lusitanica and Kentmoseria, particularly in the suture line orientation. Accordingly, we reclassify B. lusitanica as Kentmoseria lusitanica n. comb. and describe a novel species, Kentmoseria vulgaris n. sp. The unclear boundaries between Bipteria and Kentmoseria are highlighted, though redefining or suppressing either genus remains premature without sequencing their type species. Moreover, our phylogenetic analyses show these species clustering among Sinuolineidae, rather Ortholineidae, supporting the dismantling of Ortholineidae and placement of Kentmoseria within Sinuolineidae. The ancestral placement of Bipteria vetusta suggests it is taxonomically distinct and not a member of the Sinuolineidae. Finally, the occurrence of two Kentmoseria spp. in D. vulgaris suggests diversification in Diplodus, underscoring the need to study myxosporean diversity in wild stocks to assess aquaculture risks.