New fish parasite species named after South African ecologist

CAPE TOWN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A newly discovered fish parasite species has been named after South African ecologist Martine Jordaan in recognition of her contribution to freshwater biodiversity research and conservation.

According to a statement released on Thursday by CapeNature, a conservation authority in South Africa's Western Cape Province, the species, Paradiplozoon jordaanae, was identified by researchers from the Water Research Group at North-West University (NWU) and formally described in April 2026, with the paper published online on April 27.

The parasite was found on the gills of two near-threatened endemic freshwater fish species -- the Clanwilliam sawfin (Cheilobarbus serra) and the Clanwilliam redfin (Sedercypris calidus) -- in rivers within the Cape Fold Ecoregion, a biologically distinct freshwater and terrestrial zone in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.

Jordaan, a fauna ecologist at CapeNature and an honorary research associate at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, first encountered the unusual parasite during fieldwork on redfin fish nearly six years ago.

The finding led to a collaboration between Jordaan and NWU researchers, combining field surveys and sampling with laboratory analysis to investigate parasite diversity, fish health and freshwater ecosystems, with Jordaan contributing extensive fieldwork across river systems in the Western Cape.

CapeNature Chief Executive Officer Ashley Naidoo said the recognition highlighted the importance of collaboration between conservation practitioners and academic researchers in advancing scientific understanding and conservation efforts.

Researchers said the work has also contributed to a better understanding of the ecological role of parasites in biodiversity. Although parasites are often viewed negatively, non-pathogenic species that pose no threat to humans or animals can form an important part of natural ecosystems. Enditem