Abstract
Bomolochidae Claus, 1875 is a copepod family with worldwide distribution that parasitizes marine fishes. This study provides the first report of Hamaticolax scutigerulus (Wilson, 1935) (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) in the spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus (Bloch, 1793), in the coastal waters of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Prevalence of 35%, mean intensity of infestation of 1.9±1.3 and mean abundance of 0.7±1.2 were found. The setae and spines of the leg armor of the Hamaticolax species were analyzed to identify the present species.
Highlights
Copepods comprise the second most frequent parasites of marine fishes in the Neotropical region (Luque & Poulin, 2007)
The family Bomolochidae Claus, 1875 has at least 20 genera and the species are characterized by specialized structures on the body for attachment and feeding on their hosts, generally on the gills, branchial cavity and noses (Kim & Moon, 2013, Maran, Moon, Adday, Khamees, & Myoung, 2014, Walter & Boxshall, 2015)
The composition of the setae and spines of the leg armor was compared with previous studies on 10 described species in the genus Hamaticolax
Summary
Copepods comprise the second most frequent parasites of marine fishes in the Neotropical region (Luque & Poulin, 2007). The composition of the setae and spines of the leg armor was compared with previous studies on 10 described species in the genus Hamaticolax. The measurements and characteristics of the setae and spines on the legs of the present material were compared with those of another species (Table 2).
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