Abstract This study is an integrative taxonomic analysis of a new species of the genus Vancleaveus reported for the first time parasitizing the gills of Doras higuchii (Siluriformes, Doradidae) in the Xingú River Basin, Pará, Brazil. Vancleaveus perditus n. sp. differs from other congeneric species by having a sinistral vaginal aperture, ventral bar with an anteromedian projection, dorsal bar with a posteromedial projection, and a slightly sigmoid MCO with a linguiform distal portion. New partial 28S rDNA sequences were generated for the described species. Using phylogenetic analyses, we found that the new species and Vancleaveus januacaensis Kritsky, Thatcher & Boeger, 1986—the type species of the genus—together form a monophyletic lineage. In addition, this study describes the sixth species of Vancleaveus .
Souza et al. (2026) studied this question.