Monocotylidea [Monocotylidea]
Description
Monocotylidea is an order of monogenean parasites that mainly target elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), attaching to their gills, skin, or cloaca. These parasites are characterized by a single large haptor that assists in attachment to the host. Monocotylidea species often exhibit host specificity, with many species adapted to live on a single host species or closely related host species. Their direct life cycles and the close association with their hosts make them important subjects of study in understanding host-parasite coevolution.