Abstract
The occurrence of the cymothoidae Braga cigarra is reported parasitizing the oral cavity of freshwater fish Galeocharax knerii from Veados, Paranapanema and Taquari Rivers, affluent of the Jurumirim Reservoir, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil is reported. The isopod species were identified based on the multilaminar pleopods, narrow pleon and short pleotelson in females. The overall prevalences of isopods were 31.7%, 7.7% and 5.7%, respectively, in the Paranapanema, Veados and Taquari Rivers. This note contributes to the knowledge of the geographical distribution and fauna of parasite crustaceans known to date in these important ecosystems.
Highlights
The occurrence of the cymothoidae Braga cigarra is reported parasitizing the oral cavity of freshwater fish Galeocharax knerii from Veados, Paranapanema and Taquari Rivers, affluent of the Jurumirim Reservoir, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil is reported
The isopod species were identified based on the multilaminar pleopods, narrow pleon and short pleotelson in females
It may be difficult to estimate the real prevalence of parasitic crustaceans in the natural environment since after they were caught by fishing nets, they try to escape with strong movements and, in the course of time, stress increases and metabolism tends to decrease, which can lead the isopod to go out of the oral cavity of the host and explore a new habitat for survival
Summary
Occurrence of B. cigarra parasitizing G. knerii from Jurumirim reservoir of the host caught from Veados River and three in each one from Paranapanema and Taquari rivers (Table 1). One species was found in the oral cavity of each host. The body length and width of each isopod were taken in dorsal view, using a caliper (Table 2). There are few studies on the prevalence of isopod species in nature. Szidat and Schubart (1960) observed a prevalence of 90%. Of B. cigarra (=Philostomella cigarra), in “peixe cadela”(G. knerii) from Mogi Guassu River in the region of Cachoeira de Emas in the State of Sao Paulo. It was possible to observe a higher prevalence in Paranapanema River (31.7%), compared to Veados (7.7%) and Taquari (5.7%) rivers. It may be difficult to estimate the real prevalence of parasitic crustaceans
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