Abstract
Parasitological indexes of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) in fishes from the Parana River, Presidente Epitacio region, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and their relationship with climate and water quality are evaluated. Fifty-one specimens of Plagioscion squamosissimus , 39 Geophagus surinamensis , 27 Hoplias malabaricus and 23 Cichla sp. were collected between June 2007 and June 2008. Water quality and rainfall indexes were measured monthly. P. squamosissimus had the highest parasite rate, with 98% total prevalence, intensity of infection varying between 1 and 255 and parasite mean abundance totaling 40.5 ± 9.9. H. malabaricus had the next parasite rate, with 66.6% total prevalence, parasite intensity between 2 and 184 and mean abundance totaling 22.4 ± 20.9. Cichla sp. had a total prevalence of 52.1%, intensity between 1 and 21, and mean abundance 4.3 ± 2.9. Finally, G. surinamensis had a total prevalence of 46.1%, intensity between 1 and 53 and mean abundance 7.1 ± 8.8. A survey of diplostomid infection in Brazil and the role of piscivore fish as an important host have also been discussed.
Highlights
Metacercariae of Diplostomum and Austrodiplostomum are frequently reported parasitizing freshwater fishes which are the second intermediate hosts in the parasite’s life-cycle (RINTAMAKI-KINNUNEN et al, 2004; SEPPALA et al, 2004)
Fifty-one specimens of P. squamosissimus, 39 G. surinamensis, 27 H. malabaricus and 23 Cichla sp. were collected with gill nets and hooks, between June 2007 and June 2008, comprising the winter of 2007 thru the winter of 2008, for parasitological exam undertaken according to Santos et al (2002)
Rainfall indexes were obtained from the meteorological station of the Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo State, Brazil
Summary
Metacercariae of Diplostomum and Austrodiplostomum are frequently reported parasitizing freshwater fishes which are the second intermediate hosts in the parasite’s life-cycle (RINTAMAKI-KINNUNEN et al, 2004; SEPPALA et al, 2004). Whereas the adult stage inhabits the digestive tract of piscivore birds, its larval cercariae stage may be found in aquatic mollusks. The parasite has a geographically wide range with reports from over 125 fish species (EIRAS, 1994). There are several reports from Brazil on diplostomid metacercariae parasitizing fishes. Biological Sciences squamosissimus Heckel, 1840 (KOHN et al, 1995; MACHADO et al, 2005; MARTINS et al, 2002; PAES et al, 2003, 2010; SANTOS et al, 2002; TAKEMOTO et al, 2009), Hypostomus regani Ihering, 1905 (TAKEMOTO et al, 2009; YAMADA et al, 2008; ZICA et al, 2009), Cichla monoculus Spix and Agassiz, 1831 (MACHADO et al, 2000, 2005; TAKEMOTO et al, 2009), Cichla ocellaris Bloch and Schneider, 1801 (MACHADO et al, 2005; SANTOS et al, 2002), Pimelodus maculatus Lacepéde, 1803 (BRASIL-SATO; PAVANELLI, 2004; BACHMANN et al, 2007), Hoplias malabaricus Bloch, 1794 (MACHADO et al, 2005; TAKEMOTO et al, 2009), Satanoperca pappaterra Heckel, 1840
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