Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Pintner, 1931 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) parasitizing the musculature of Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879) (Actinopterygii) off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Priscila Queiroz Faria De Menezes,Elmiro Rosendo Do Nascimento,Nilza Nunes Felizardo,Laura Costa Borges,Erich Loza Telleria,Marcelo Knoff,Nathalie Costa Da Cunha,Sergio Carmona De São Clemente,Eduardo José Lopes Torres,Stephen Raverty

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0206377

Priscila Queiroz Faria De Menezes, Elmiro Rosendo Do Nascimento + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206377

Copy DOI

Abstract

Cestodes of the order Trypanorhyncha can frequently be found infecting the muscles of several marine fish species, and lead to a repugnant aspect of the fish and rejection by consumers. The Brazilian sardinella, Sardinella brasiliensis, occurs from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Uruguay. In southeastern Brazil, fishing for the species is very intensive since it generates significant revenue as one of the most commonly consumed fish and an important element of the canned fish industry. The aims of the present study were to identify and report the occurrence of tiny cestodes (3 mm—6.6 mm) in the musculature of Brazilian sardinella that were purchased in the São Pedro fish market in the municipality of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From October 2013 to November 2016, 75 specimens of S. brasiliensis were investigated. The trypanorhynch cestodes encountered were identified as plerocerci of Callitetrarhynchus gracilis using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Parasitic indices were calculated, and the cestodes infection of the musculature of Brazilian sardinella had the following values: prevalence, 40%; mean intensity, 3.47; mean abundance, 1.39; and range of infection, 1–18, specimens. The presence of this trypanorhynch cestode in the musculature of Brazilian sardinella is an important indicator of fish hygiene.

Highlights

The Brazilian sardinella, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), occurs from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Uruguay
Brazilian sardinella is the most important marine fishery resource in Brazil, with landings concentrated in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina
The aims of the present study were to identify, to species level, and report the occurrence of tiny cestode specimens parasitizing the musculature of the Brazilian sardinella that were purchased in the São Pedro fish market in the municipality of Niteroi, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Summary

Introduction

The Brazilian sardinella, Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), occurs from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Uruguay. In southeastern Brazil, the fishery for the species is very intense since it is one of fish most frequently consumed by the population and is an important element of the canned fish industry, generating significant income throught its exportation. Brazilian sardinella is the most important marine fishery resource in Brazil, with landings concentrated in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina. The species contributes to world food resources in two ways: directly, through actual consumption (fresh, frozen or processed) and indirectly, by providing products used for animal feeds and fertilizers or by serving as bait to catch other fishes [2,3]. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among the 23 fish species and genera most frequently captured worldwide in 2011 and 2012, Sardinella spp. stood out in fourth place [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion