First Report of Lymphocystis in the Family Gerreidae: Caitipa MojarrasDiapterus rhombeusfrom La Parguera, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Lymphocystis was found in Caitipa mojarras Diapterus rhombeus collected in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. This is the first report of lymphocystis in the family Gerreidae. At four fish-cleaning sites frequently used by local fishers, 55% of the Caitipa mojarras were infected. Lymphocystis was not found in 100 Caitipa mojarras from four nearby locations which were identical except that they lacked fish-cleaning sites. All study sites had high levels of nitrification and petroleum hydrocarbons. Other fish species collected at these sites did not have gross signs of lymphocystis. Additional study is needed to determine if the high prevalence of lymphocystis at fish-cleaning sites is related to discarded fish tissue which could be infected with lymphocystis.