Bivagina is a genus of monogeneans. As all Monogenea, species in the genus are ectoparasites that affect their host by attaching themselves as larvae on the gills of fish and grow into adult stage. This larval stage is called oncomiracidium, and is characterized as free swimming and ciliated.
Taxonomy This genus was proposed by Yamaguti in 1963 to accommodate Bivagina tai, Bivagina alcedinis, Bivagina australis, Bivagina baumi and Bivagina sillaginae, previously included in the genus Microcotyle. Yamaguti S. 1963. Systema Helminthum Volume IV Monogenea and Aspidocotylea. Interscience, a division of John Wiley & Sons, New York & London, 699 pp.>
Description Members of the genus Bivagina are characterised by a symmetrical haptor, a few testes, a cirrus and/or genital atrium unarmed and two vaginal pores armed or unarmed.
Species Currently ten species are recognized:WoRMS (2019). Bivagina Yamaguti, 1963. Accessed at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=119379 on 2019-11-27
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