Morphological and molecular characterization of Clinostomum detruncatum metacercariae infecting Synbranchus marmoratus

A complete morphological description, supported by molecular data, of Clinostomum detruncatum metacercariae is reported in this study. The metacercariae were found infecting Synbranchus marmoratus from the Paraná River, municipality of GuaÃ-ra, Paraná State, Brazil. The taenioidean uterus is the main morphological characteristic of this species. Both Neighbour-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) trees showed 2 clear separate clusters grouping together the species from the Palearctic region (Clinostomum complanatum, Clinostomum cutaneum, Clinostomum phalacrocoracis, Clinostomum philippinense) and from the Nearctic/Neotropical regions (Clinostomum marginatum, Clinostomum tataxumui, C. detruncatum, Clinostomum sp. 7). The latter clade is divided into 2 subclades grouping species from North America and Mexico (C. marginatum and C. tataxumui), and from Brazil (C. detruncatum and Clinostomum sp. 7).

On the ecology and explorations of the fisheries of an East African rift valley lake, Part 1: On the bionomics and population structure of Tilapia nilotica Linnaeus 1757 in Lake Baringo, Kenya

An ecological survey of the fisheries of Lake Baringo, Kenya was carried out between August, 1972 and August, 1973. The bionomics and population structure of T. nilotica is described. Sampling was done with multifilament gillnets of graded mesh sizes from 51 mm to 178 mm in approximately 12.5 mm increments. The Lake was divided into three sampling and ecologically different zones - the south, central and north zones. The size range of T. nilotica of both sexes caught was between 5 and 27 cm (mode 16 cm) with a mean length of 16.07 cm. For all the collections, males dominated (55.3%) and a higher proportion of males were caught in January, August and November. The smallest mature male and female was 9 and 10 cm respectively. Males grow faster and mature at larger sizes than females. 50% of all males and females mature at 17.4 and 16:4 cm respectively. The periods of intense spawning were between August and October and January to April. The Tilapia were feeding best in central and north zones and the feeding intensity was reduced in January. Two endoparasites Contracaecum sp. and Clinostomum sp. were isolated from the Tilapia. The "condition" of the fish was better in the north than in the other two zones.

Helminth fauna of Oreochromis leucostictus (Pisces: Cichlidae) from a tropical lake, Lake Naivasha, Kenya

The helminth fauna of Oreochromis leucosticus (Trewavas) from Lake Naivasha is described. The study was carried out on 1,050 gillnetted fish caught over a period of 24 months at different sites within the lake. Oreochromis leucosticus which is a commercially important fish was observed to be a host of four helminth parasites. These were an acanthocephalan polyacanthorhynchus kenyensis (Schmidt and Canaris), a nematode contracaecum sp.. a trematode clinostomum sp. and a dilepidid cestode Amirthalingamia sp. Seasonal variation in prevalence, intensity of infection, organs infected and the variation in infection with the size, sex and body condition of the host are described. There was no seasonal variation in prevalence but intensity of infection was observed to increase with the age of the fish. Although male fish were observed to be more heavily infected, the parasites did not seem to have any significant effect on the body condition of the fish.

The helminth community of Geophagus proximus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from a tributary of the Paraná River, Ilha Solteira Reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the helminth parasites of Geophagus proximus from the São José dos Dourados River, a tributary of Paraná River, Ilha Solteira Reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil. From May 2006 to May 2007, 116 G. proximus specimens were examined and seven different taxa of helminth were collected and identified: proteocephalidean plerocercoids (Cestoda); metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum, Clinostomum heluans and Clinostomum sp. (Trematoda); and Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) hypostomi, and larvae of Raphidascaris sp. and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda). All parasites presented the typical aggregated pattern of distribution, as well as the presence of a high number of larval stages, an absence of influence of the host sex and seasonality upon community parameters, as well as a correlation between species richness and host body weight. Moreover, with the exception of A. compactum metacercariae, all helminths found in this study are reported for the first time in G. proximus. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012.

Community ecology of metazoan parasites of the sairú Cyphocharax nagelii from the Peixe River

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The life cycle of Paracardicoloides yamagutii Martin, 1974 (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae)

The sanguinicolids Paracardicoloides yamagutii Martin, 1974 and Plethorchis acanthus Martin, 1975 were obtained from their definitive hosts, Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner and Mugil cephalus Linnaeus (respectively) in the tributaries of the Brisbane River, Queensland, Australia. Two putative sanguinicolid cercariae were collected from a hydrobiid gastropod, Posticobia brazieri Smith, in the same waters. The two cercariae differ markedly in size and the form of their sporocysts. Both putative cercariae develop in the digestive gland of Po. brazieri. The ITS2 rDNA region from these sanguinicolids and a Clinostomum species (utilised as an outgroup due to the close morphological similarities between the cercarial stages of the Clinostomidae and the Sanguinicolidae) were sequenced and aligned. Comparison of the ITS2 sequences showed one cercaria to be that of P. yamagutii. This is the first sanguinicolid life history determined by a molecular method. P. yamagutii is the fourth sanguinicolid known to utilise a freshwater hydrobiid gastropod as its intermediate host. ITS2 rDNA is effective in distinguishing sanguinicolids at the species level.

Study of parasites native and introduced species of fish in Caspian Sea

Seven native and introduced species of fish in south east Caspian Sea coast examined for parasite infestation during 2004-2006. Native fishes include Barbus capito, Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus frisii kutum, Rutilus rutilus, Stizostidion lucioperca, Alosa caspia persica, 24 ecto and endo parasites were found in different organs of 7 species of fishes of them 2 of the metazoan 12 species of crustacean Lernaea cyprinacea , Lamproglena pukhella nematodea and cestodea parasite were found and identified to species and genus including: Asymphylodora kubanicums, Caryophylaeus fimbericep, Rhabdochona hellichii, Contracecum sp. (larvae), Pronoprymna, Aspidogaster limacoides, Raphidascaris acus, Caryophylaeus laticeps, Rhabdochona hellichi, Clinostomum complanatum, Hysterothylacium sp., Rhipidocotyle illense of the metzoan 9 monogen species were found and identified to species and genus level including Dactylogyrus frisii, Dactylogyrus nybelini, Dactylogyrus extensus, Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus baueri, D. formosus, Gyrodactylus sprostonae, Gyrodactylus sp, Mazaocraes alosae. One psecies of digenea parasites belonging to Diplostomatidea family comprised Diplostomum Spathaceum. In comprise infestation parasite of fish species Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus frisii kutum with 25 precent and Stizostidion lucioperca with 5 percent showed the highest and lowest in infection between fishes in comprise ecological region rivers with 45 percent and Estuary 16 percent showed the highest and lowest percent of parasite Infection.

Communities of parasite metazoans in Piaractus brachypomus (Pisces, Serrasalmidae) in the lower Amazon River (Brazil).

The aim of this study was to investigate the component community of parasite metazoans of Piaractus brachypomus in the lower Amazon River, northern Brazil. From 34 necropsied fish, 27,384 metazoan parasites were collected, such as Anacanthorus spathulatus, Mymarothecium viatorum and Notozothecium janauachensis (Monogenoidea); Spectatus spectatus and Contracaecum sp (Nematoda); Clinostomum marginatum and Dadaytrema oxycephala (Digenea); and Argulus carteri and Ergasilus sp. (Crustacea). The dominant species was S. spectatus followed by monogenoidean species, and there was aggregated dispersion of parasites, except for D. oxycephala and Contracaecum sp., which presented random dispersion. Positive correlation among the abundance of the three monogenoideans species were found, thus indicating that there was no competition between the species of these parasites on the gills of hosts. The abundances of some parasite species showed positive correlations with the size of the hosts, but the condition factor of the fish was not affected by the parasitism levels. It showed that this host had a metazoan community characterized by high species richness of metazoans, low evenness and high diversity of parasites, with prevalence of endoparasites, including larval stages. This was the first record of C. marginatum, A. carteri, Ergasilus sp. and Contracaecum sp. for P. brachypomus.

Comunidade de parasitos metazoários em Piaractus brachypomus (Serrasalmidae) do Baixo Rio Amazonas, Brasil.

No Brasil, a produção pesqueira de Piaractus brachypomus (pirapitinga) vem apresentando pequeno aumento anual. Porém, essa produção extrativista é baixa se comparada à produção da aquicultura dessa espécie de peixes nativo da Amazônia. Piaractus brachypomus é um peixe bastante comercializado em mercados e feiras das capitais de estados da Amazônia brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a comunidade de parasitos metazoários em P. brachypomus do baixo Rio Amazonas, estado do Pará, Norte do Brasil. Métodos usuais de coleta, fixação, conservação e identificação dos parasitos foram usados neste estudo. Os termos ecológicos usados foram os recomendados na literatura. O índice de Brillouin (HB), uniformidade (E), índice de dominância de Berger-Parker (d), riqueza de espécies e frequência de dominância (FD%) foram calculados para avaliar a comunidade componente de parasitos. O índice de dispersão e índice de discrepância foram calculados, para detectar o padrão de distribuição das infracomunidades de parasitos para espécies com prevalência >10%. Os dados de peso (g) e comprimento total (cm) foram usados para calcular o fator de condição relativo (Kn) dos hospedeiros. Em 34 espécimes de P. brachypomus (31,7 ± 5,7 cm e 745,6 ± 304,9 g) necropsiados, 27.384 parasitos foram coletados, tais como Anacanthorus spathulatus, Mymarothecium viatorum, Notozothecium janauachensis (Monogenoidea), Spectatus spectatus, larvas de Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda), Clinostomum marginatum, Dadaytrema oxycephala (Digenea), Argulus carteri e Ergasilus sp. (Crustacea). A dominância foi de S. spectatus, seguida por espécies de monogenoideas, e houve dispersão agregada dos parasitos, exceto D. oxycephala e Contracaecum sp., que apresentaram uma dispersão randômica. A riqueza de espécies de parasitos (5 ± 1), índice de Billouin (1,02 ± 0,25), equitabilidade (0,39 ± 0,09) e índice de dominância de Berger-Parker (0,53 ± 0,13) variam. Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre a abundância das três espécies de monogenoideas, indicando que não houve uma competição entre as espécies desses parasitos nas brânquias. A abundância de algumas espécies de parasitos mostrou correlação positiva com o tamanho dos hospedeiros, e o fator de condição não foi afetado pelos níveis de parasitismo dos peixes. Mostrou-se que esse hospedeiro teve comunidade de metazoários, caracterizada por elevada riqueza de espécies de metazoários, baixa uniformidade e elevada diversidade de parasitos com predominância de endoparasitos, inclusive em estágios larvais. Esse é o primeiro relato de C. marginatum, A. carteri, Ergasilus sp., e Contracaecum sp. para P. brachypomus.

Parasitos metazoários de duas populações de Leporinus friderici (Characiformes, anostomidae) do sistema do Rio Amazonas no Brasil.

Leporinus friderici Bloch, 1794 é um Anostomidae com ampla distribuição nas bacias dos rios Amazonas, Paraná e Araguaia-Tocantins. Tem hábito alimentar onívoro, alimentando-se de insetos, material vegetal, detritos, frutos, sementes, camarão e pequenos peixes, bem como hábitos diurnos e sedentárias. No sistema Rio Amazonas, esse peixe se reproduz no período de abril a outubro, e tem desova total. Este estudo comparou a estrutura das comunidades de parasitos metazoários em duas populações de Leporinus friderici de diferentes bacias do sistema do Rio Amazonas, no Brasil. Em julho de 2012, 47 espécimes de L. friderici (22.1 ± 3.8 cm e 171.1 ± 86.3 g) foram coletados na bacia do Rio Jari, município de Vitória do Jari, Estado do Amapá (Brasil), e de julho a dezembro de 2012, 50 espécimes de L. friderici (15.1 ± 3.6 cm e 57.4 ± 42.8 g) foram coletadas na bacia Igarapé Fortaleza, próximo à cidade de Macapá, estado do Amapá (Brasil), para análise parasitológica. Métodos usuais de coleta, fixação, conservação e identificação dos parasitos foram usados neste estudo. Os termos ecológicos usados foram os recomendados na literatura. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H) e uniformidade (E), riqueza de espécies e frequência de dominância (FD%) foram calculados para avaliar a comunidade componente de parasitos. O índice de dispersão e índice de discrepância foram calculados, para detectar o padrão de distribuição das infracomunidades de parasitos para espécies com prevalência >10%. As duas populações de L. friderici estavam parasitadas por Jainus leporini, Urocleidoides paradoxus, Urocleidoides sp., Tereancistrum parvus, Tereancistrum sp., Clinostomum marginatum, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, Contracaecum sp., Octospiniferoides incognita e Ergasilus sp. Houve diferença na riqueza de espécies de parasitos, índice de Shannon e equitabilidade entre ambas as populações de L. friderici, pois a comunidade de parasitos mostrou similaridade de apenas 33%. Somente os monogenoideas, C. marginatum e P. (S.) inopinatus foram as espécies de parasitos compartilhadas por ambas as populações de L. friderici examinados. Os parasitos apresentaram padrão dispersão agregada, exceto Contracaecum sp., que mostrou padrão de dispersão randômica. Diferenças no tamanho dos hospedeiros foi um dos fatores que contribuiram para as diferenças nos níveis de parasitos encontradas entre as populações estudadas. O hábito alimentar contribui para ocorrência de endoparasitos em L. friderici, hospedeiro intermediário para tais esses parasitos como ciclo de vida complexo. Este é primeiro registro de O. incognita, C. marginatum e Ergasilus para L. friderici.