Abstract
Reports of epibiosis between ciliated protozoans and aquatic true bugs are scarce. The suctorian ciliates Discophrya elongata and Acineta tuberosa are recorded for the first time as epibionts of Corisella edulis (Corixidae) collected at Hidalgo, Mexico. We analyse the relationship between the architecture of the middle legs and the prevalence of ciliates and present data for their distribution, prevalence, mean abundance, intensity and density on host appendages. Discophrya elongata showed a prevalence of 71.5% on hosts, being attached mainly to middle legs (84%), occurring in highest abundance on the middle femur (mean = 112) and attaching with greatest density on the middle tibia. Acineta tuberosa was observed only on 12 individuals of Corisella edulis and its prevalence was lower than that of D. elongata. These are the first worldwide records of such protozoans being associated with corixids as epibionts.
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