Eggs hatching and oncomiracidia lifespan of Dawestrema cycloancistrium, a monogenean parasitic on Arapaima gigas

Abstract

Within the production chain of the Arapaima gigas (pirarucu), sanitary issues are still faced at the fingerling phase regarding infestations by the monogenean Dawestrema cycloancistrium. The present study had the objectives of describing the morphology and development phases of this parasite’s eggs and oncomiracidia and determining the hatching time and lifespan of the oncomiracidia at different temperatures. D. cycloancistrium eggs were oval and elongated and had a single long appendage at one pole. The egg development was divided into four phases: embryonated egg, developing egg, larva appearance and ecloded egg. They were found in four forms: isolated in gill filaments; grouped in clusters that were anchored in a gill filament; grouped in clusters and entangled in part of a dead adult monogenean; and grouped in clusters in the environment, fixed to a substrate. Eclosion occurred after 72–96h, with faster development at 29°C and 32°C than at 24°C. The morphology of the oncomiracidia were rounded and elongated. They had two pairs of pigmented eye-spots as well as two ciliated areas located on each lateral part of the body and another on the anterior part of the body. The lifespan of the D. cycloancistrium oncomiracidia were 50 and 58h at 24°C and 27°C, respectively. Larvae were found in the mucus, indicating that the oncomiracidia penetrated the host integument. Understanding reproductive aspects of the D. cycloancistrium monogenean is important for developing specific prophylactic management strategies in aquaculture and providing valuable data for further studies.