Masato Nitta of Hiroshima University (IMAGE) Hiroshima University Caption Identifying the parasites of invasive species is one method to measure biodiversity and track ecosystem health. The parasites identified by Hiroshima University scientists infect the vermiculated sailfin catfish species Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) native to the Amazon River and invasive in the freshwater river system of Okinawa, Japan. Nitta has found a new species, Trinigyrus peregrinus (new species identified in 2015), as well as three species not previously seen in Japan, Unilatus brittani, Unilatus unilatus, and Heteropriapulus heterotylus (first reported in 2012). The results are published in the November 2016 issue of the journal Species Diversity, published by the Japanese Society of Systematic Zoology. Credit Image by Caitlin E. Devor, Hiroshima University. Usage Restrictions Image may only be re-used with attribution to Hiroshima University. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.