Description of life stages, molecular characterisation as well as a new host and locality record of Chonopeltis lisikili Van As and Van As (1996) from Phongolo River, South Africa

Abstract Chonopeltis lisikili Van As and Van As, 1996 was original described from the Eastern Caprivi (Namibia) and the Okavango System (Botswana), collected from five Synodontis Cuvier, 1816 (Mochokidae) species. This fish genus is endemic to Africa, with 130 valid species, making it one of the most species-rich and widely distributed mochokid catfish family. During parasitological surveys conducted in the Phongolo River (South Africa), a Chonopeltis Thiele, 1900 species was collected from Synodontis zambezensis Peters, 1852. In total, 21 adult females, 4 adult males, as well as representatives of the larval developmental stages were found. After morphological comparison, this branchiuran was identified as C. lisikili. This paper provides additional information on body measurements and morphological information of all the life stages of the Phongolo material. Information on Chonopeltis material collected from the Okavango River, Botswana, not yet published is also included as well as the first molecular characterisation of a Chonopeltis species using COI and 18 S rRNA partial sequencing. The endemicity of the host and fish lice, necessitate a discussion on the host origin and distribution in more than one river system, with reference to host specificity for Chonopeltis species.