[2] Its morphology has been described in 2010 from specimens collected off Corsica by Antonelli et al.[3] It is ubiquitous and abundant in the aquatic environment, isolated from fish as ectoparasite on gill filaments.

[4] S. chrysophrii is specific but not limited to the gilt-head seabream (Sparus aurata), causing mortalities when contacted at high prevalence (61.5%) in fish cages.

Gravid specimens release eggs into the sea where they continue to develop and hatch into oncomiracidia – free swimming ciliated larva that eventually finds and attaches to the host.

Gravid parasites release eggs into the sea where they continue to develop and hatch into oncomiracidia – free swimming ciliated larva.

[11] Sitjà-Bobadilla et al.[13] evidenced the following histopatological effects: lamellar shortening, clubbing and synechiae, proliferation of the epithelial tissue with resulting fusion of the secondary lamellae, and marked presence of chloride cells.

Different aspects of monogenean biology, ecology and pathology have been investigated through the EU funded Horizon2020 Project ParaFishControl, adding greatly to the generation of new fundamental and applicable knowledge.

The genome and transcriptome of S. chrysophrii different developmental stages has been sequenced; the gilt-head seabream response to chronic and mild infection by S. chrysophrii has been evaluated using RNA-seq, as well standard histology and immunohistochemistry techniques; an array of synthetic compounds and herbal extracts has been tested to infer toxicity on the adult monogenean; assessment of the transfer of the monogenean between wild and farmed fish has been done using ddRAD-seq; different techniques of in vitro culture have been successfully applied.