Just like the tropical rainforests, warm coral reefs are haven ecosystems for a myriad of species. Researchers have discovered that in embarking on a study of the coral reefs of New Caledonia, the rich ecosystem has even produced new species to be introduced to the world of science. The common grouper of New Caledonia, the Epinephilus maculates, which can be found in large numbers along the coral reefs, were studied under a binocular zoom stereoscopic microscope and found to be plagued with 12 microscopic species of monogean worms. They decided to investigate further the increase occurrence of parasites by studying another local of the coral reef, the Malabar grouper, called the Epinephilus malabaricus under a binocular zoom stereoscopic microscope to see if the parasites plagued them too. They were no surprised to have similar findings. The ecosystem is so rich that new parasite species are evolving and just waiting to be discovered in this area.

Taxonomists have identified the new parasite species as microscopic animals that are less then 0.5 mm long and can be viewed under a binocular zoom stereoscopic microscope properly. These very minute parasitic worms belong to the Monogenea class and live symbiotically on the gills of the fish. To classify them further, taxonomists used the morphology of the genital apparatus to characterize each species. After numerous studies of the grouper Epinephelus maculatus and the Mediterranean grouper Epinephelus maculatus, it was believed that at least 10 species of parasitic worms were found to be exclusively residing in this type of fish. The diversity of monogean gill parasites in the New Caledonian coral reef is increasing in abundance.

So what effect does this have on the fish, and further more, what how do these findings affect aquaculture in general? The Malabar grouper is reported to be highly valuable to aquaculture operators from the South East Asia region. The young groupers are taken from their habitat to the fish farms, where they are fattened up. In natural environments, the parasites help control the population of the groupers somewhat, but in farms, they are allowed to increase in quantity. Researchers believe that by studying the growth and development of the parasite, the rearing of Malabar grouper can be well managed in farms as well as in the wild.

Given this lead, researchers are adamant in further enhancing their understanding and knowledge about the parasite-host relationship that associates the groupers and the monogeneans. Since parasites are very closely linked to their host, it is crucial to learn about the new parasitic species before they wipe out a fish species, which is highly probable. At the same time, it is essential to study the symbiotic relationship between the host and parasite without necessarily disrupting the equilibrium of the ecosystem that they live in. The coral reefs and the diverse species that reside in them are already threatened by factors like pollution, global warming and tourism. Researchers must be careful to conduct a safe and efficient study without harming the habitat of the rich coral reefs.  Read more on this topic