Résumé
Background: Cyprinidae is one of the most speciose families of freshwater fishes. In Morocco, continental waters are dominated by cyprinids. Currently, 18 species are known, belonging to four genera: Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843, Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971, Labeobarbus Ruppel, 1835, and Pterocapoeta Gunther, 1902. Species of Dactylogyrus are gill parasites that are almost exclusively found in cyprinids. These parasites can be used as specific markers as well as population markers. Results: To extend our knowledge of the Moroccan diversity of Dactylogyrus, molecular characterization was carried out using mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear markers (18S, ITS-1 and 28S). This study is the first to apply a barcoding approach to Moroccan species of Dactylogyrus. Barcodes were obtained from 20 specimens belonging to four species of Dactylogyrus, and intraspecific divergence was noticed among the COI sequences. Significance: The present study highlights the importance of the use of the barcoding approach to elucidate the taxonomic status of Dactylogyrus infecting cyprinid fishes.