Species Of Monogenea Research Articles

Parasitic incidence in cultured and wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Parasitic incidence in cultured and wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria was investigated by standard parasitological techniques using 305 samples comprising 146 and 159 Oreochromis niloticus randomly purchased from the cultured (Ponds) and wild (Lower River Benue) environments, respectively. Nine (9) parasite species belonging to two (2) species each of crustacean (Argulus spp. and Ergasilus spp.), protozoa (Trichodina spp. and Ichyophthyirius multifilis), cestode (Ligula intestinalis and Bothriocephalus spp.) and a species of monogenea (Cichlidogyrus spp.), digenea (Clinostomum spp.) and nematode (Camallanus spp.) were recovered from the examined fish. All the parasites were present in both environments with the exception of I. multifilis that was recovered from the wild O. niloticus. Out of the 146 and 159 samples of cultured and wild O. niloticus, 81 and 62 samples each were infested with 128 and 93 ectoparasites and endoparasites, respectively. The overall prevalence (55.48%), mean intensity (1.58) and abundance (0.88) were higher for cultured O. niloticus compared to the overall prevalence (38.99%), mean intensity (1.50) and abundance (0.58) recorded for the wild O. niloticus. The prevalence and intensity of infection in most of the parasite species were higher (9.59 and 1.50, 7.53 and 1.36, 2.74 and 1.25, 2.05 and 3.33, 5.48 and 1.88, 2.05 and 2.33, respectively from the cultured environment; 6.92 and 1.45, 6.29 and 1.30, 1.26 and 0.50, 0.63 and 2.00, 2.52 and 1.25, 1.26 and 4.00, 3.14 and 1.60, 1.26 and 2.50, respectively from the wild) in females than the males (7.53 and 1.18, 5.48 and 1.13, 1.37 and 1.50, 1.37 and 3.00, 3.42 and 1.60, 0.68 and 2.00, respectively from the cultured environment; 6.29 and 1.20, 4.40 and 1.29, 0.63 and 3.00, 0.00 and 0.00, 0.00 and 0.00, 0.63 and 3.00, 2.52 and 1.25, 0.00 and 0.00, respectively from the wild). Ectoparasites of cultured and wild O. niloticus were more in the gills (114) compared to the skin (25) while endoparasites of cultured and wild samples of O. niloticus were more in the intestine (48) compared to the stomach (40). Parasite prevalence was higher in the bigger fish samples compared to the smaller ones.

Molecular-genetic approaches to species identif ication of platyhelminthes of the genus Ligophorus (Monogenea) parasitising f lathead mullet.

Mugil cephalus L., 1758 (flathead mullet) is a valuable commercial fish and a promising object of artificial breeding in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and the study of its parasite fauna is important for fishery and mariculture. Monogeneans of the genus Ligophorus are common ectoparasites dwelling on the gills of mullets. Two representatives of this genus parasitise flathead mullet in the Azov-Black Sea region, namely Ligophorus mediterraneus Sarabeev, Balbuena et Euzet, 2005 and Ligophorus cephali Rubtsova, Balbuena, Sarabeev, Blasco- Costa et Euzet, 2006. Morphological identification of these species requires spending much time and a high level of experience in monogenean taxonomy. For quick and correct species identification of these parasites, we have developed a genotyping approach based on the polymerase chain reaction of allele-specific gene sites for various Monogenea species. A fragment of the 28S ribosomal gene, which includes conserved and variable sites, was chosen as a genetic marker. Three approaches were used as follows: amplified fragment length analysis, allelespecific PCR with endpoint detection and allele-specific real-time PCR using SYBR Green intercalating dye. The first approach was by obtaining PCR products of different lengths that were specific either to L. mediterraneus or to L. cephali. This approach was implemented due to the presence of several variable sites located at a distance from each other. The PCR mixture contained three primers: one forward and two reverse. The forward primer was complementary to the conserved site, which did not differ between species. Reverse primers were speciesspecific and, for each species, they were complementary to different DNA regions located 100 bp apart. As a result, L. mediterraneus was characterized by shorter amplicons than L. cephali. For the second and third approaches, a pair of primers was designed according to the following principle: the forward primer was complementary to both species, since it was selected for the conserved gene region. Reverse primers were species-specific and were designed for the 28S variable region. The two parasite species were distinguished by three-point mutations. Thus, one pair of primers was complementary to L. mediterraneus, the other, to L. cephali. The amplified fragment length analysis and the allele-specific real-time PCR demonstrated 100 % coincidence of genotyping results compared with Sanger sequencing. The developed genotyping protocols can be used not only to distinguish two species of Ligophorus from flathead mullet in ecological studies and veterinary practice but also for further development of similar approaches for other monogeneans, among which there are many pathogenic species.

Analysis of the helminth community of Notothenia coriiceps (Actinopterygii: Nototheniidae) collected in the water area of the Argentine Islands, West Antarctica

Helminth community of the Antarctic black rockcod, Notothenia coriiceps, was examined using the fish samples collected in 2014—2015 (106 specimens) and 2020—2021 (78 specimens) in the water area of the Argentine Islands, West Antarctica. In total, 30,951 helminth specimens were collected and identified. We analyse the helminth infra- and component communities and investigate possible changes in the main parameters of helminth communities of N. coriiceps during the six-year period. Thirty species of helminths from five taxonomic groups were recorded: one species of Monogenea, 5 of Nematoda, 4 of Cestoda, 9 of Trematoda, and 11 of Acanthocephala. Notothenia coriiceps was found to be the definitive host of 18 helminth species; 12 species parasitize it in the larval stage using N. coriiceps as the second intermediate or paratenic host. The proportion of larval helminths in the samples was lower in 2014—2015 (73.4%) than in 2020—2021 (81.4%). The number of dominant helminth species (infection prevalence >50%) increased from seven in 2014—2015 to nine in 2020—2021. In helminth infracommunities, the species richness was similar in two samples. On the other hand, we found significantly higher helminth abundance in the infracommunities from the sample collected in 2020—2021. In the helminth component community, the diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Pielou, Berger-Parker) evidenced higher evenness and lower domination in the sample collected in 2014— 2015 compared to the sample collected in 2020—2021. Lower evenness in 2020—2021 was due to the larger relative abundance of larval Pseudoterranova sp. and Corynosoma spp. We suggest a deeper investigation of the role of separate helminth species in the component community changes, as well as further monitoring of component community parameters as prospective directions for future studies of helminth communities of N. coriiceps in West Antarctica.

Helminth Diversity in Teleost Fishes from the South Orkney Islands Region, West Antarctica

Helminths of 12 fish species collected near the South Orkney Islands, West Antarctica were studied. In the whole sample of 115 fish specimens, we identified one species of Monogenea, 5 species of Trematoda, 4 species of Cestoda, 5 species of Nematoda, and 7 species of Acanthocephala. All cestode species, 3 species of nematodes, and 5 species of acanthocephalans were represented only by larval stages; fish are definitive hosts for the remaining 10 helminth species. Details of composition and structure of helminth communities were studied in 3 fish species: Chaenocephalus aceratus (Lönnberg, 1906), Champsocephalus gunnari Lönnberg, 1905, and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus Norman, 1937, each represented by more than 20 specimens in a sample. In these hosts, 19, 8, and 16 helminth species were found, correspondingly. In the helminth communities of C. aceratus and P. georgianus, the highest values of the infection prevalence and abundance were recorded for larval cestodes (Diphyllobothrium sp., Tetrabothriidea), nematodes (Pseudoterranova sp., Contracaecum sp.), acanthocephalans (Corynosoma spp.), as well as adults of the trematode Neolebouria georgiensis Gibson, 1976. The same trematode species and larval cestodes predominated in the helminth community of C. gunnari. All recorded species of parasites are generalists, each known from a range of fish hosts in Antarctica.

Interannual and spatial variation in the parasite communities of Pacific sierra Scomberomorus sierra (Jordan et Starks) on Mexico's Pacific coast

The parasite communities of predatory fish can be species rich and diverse, making them effective models for studying the factors influencing temporal and spatial variation in these communities. Over a ten-year period an initial study was done on the metazoan parasite communities of Scomberomorus sierra (Jordan et Starks) from four locations on the south-central Pacific coast of Mexico. Twenty-four metazoan parasite taxa were identified from 674 S. sierra specimens: three species of Monogenea, eight Digenea, one Cestoda, one Acanthocephala, four Nematoda, five Copepoda, and two Isopoda. The parasite communities were characterised by high ectoparasite species richness, with monogeneans and some didymozoid species being numerically dominant. Community structure and species composition varied between locations, seasons and sampling years. Similarity between the component parasite communities was generally low, despite the occurrence of a distinctive set of host-specialist parasites. Interannual or local variations in some biotic and abiotic environmental factors are possible causes of the observed variations in the structure and species composition of the parasite community of S. sierra. Ecological factors were therefore considered to have more influence than phylogenetic aspects (host phylogeny) on parasite community structure.

Parasite communities of striped bonito Sarda orientalis (Pisces: Scombridae) on the Pacific coast of Mexico

ABSTRACT The parasite communities of marine fish in the tropical Pacific remain poorly studied. We did an initial study of the metazoan parasite communities of striped bonito Sarda orientalis from the Pacific coast of Mexico. Two hundred thirty individuals from two locations were collected between April 2017 and March 2018. Twenty-two metazoan parasite taxa (20 helminths and two Crustacea) were identified: one species of Monogenea, twelve of Digenea, one of Acanthocephala, two of Cestoda, four of Nematoda, one of Copepoda, and one of Isopoda. Didymozoid digeneans (six species) were the most frequent and abundant parasite species at both sampling locations. Parasite species richness at the component community level was similar in both locations (16–17 species). However, parasite community structure and species composition varied between them. Local fluctuations in some biotic (e.g. host feeding behaviour and body size) and abiotic environmental factors were probably responsible for these variations.

Parasitological and histopathological diagnosis of a non-native fish (Oreochromis sp.) with a noticeable presence in a natural Brazilian river environment.

Nile tilapia is an exotic species produced in Brazilian aquaculture. The aim of this study was to constitute a pathological diagnosis in Oreochromis sp. with a noticeable presence in a river in southern Brazil, and to verify the origin of these fish in this natural habitat, an environment with high sanitary precariousness due to discharges of industrial effluents. A total of 30 fish were collected during three sampling events and their health status was assessed by parasitological fauna survey, parasitological indices and histopathological examination of the gills, liver, spleen and kidney. Five species of monogenea were identified infesting gills and stomach: Cichlidogyrus sclerosus, C. halli, C. thurstonae, Scutogyrus longicornis and Enterogyrus cichlidarum; and 4 species of trichodinidae infesting the body surface and gills: Trichodina magna, T. compacta, T. centrostrigeata and Paratrichodina africana. The results showed differences according to the seasonality of the collection, with higher parasite count and larger tissue alterations in summer. Histopathological analysis fluctuated from moderate to severe, but necrosis prevailed in all organs and in all fish, indicating that these fish did not enjoy full health.

Factors linked to interannual variation in the metazoan parasite communities of black skipjack, Euthynnus lineatus (Pisces: Scombridae)

AbstractMarine parasite communities can exhibit temporal and spatial changes in response to seasonal and local variations in several biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Limited attention has been given to the influence of abiotic factors, so their effects on parasite community structure remain unclear. A total of 496 specimens of Euthynnus lineatus were collected over a 7‐year period (2012–2018) from Acapulco Bay, Mexico. Their parasite communities were analyzed to determine if they experience interannual variations due to local biotic and abiotic factors. Thirty‐three metazoan parasite species were recovered and identified: four species of Monogenea (adults); 16 of Digenea (one larvae and 15 adults); two of Acanthocephala (adults); two of Cestoda (larvae); three of Nematoda (two larvae and one adult); and six of Crustacea (three Copepoda, and three Isopoda). Species richness was greatest among the digeneans, which represented 48% of the total species recovered, followed by the crustaceans (19% of total species). Species richness at the component community level (14–24 species) was similar to reported richness in other small tuna species. The component communities and infracommunities of E. lineatus exhibited a similar pattern: high species richness and diversity, and numerical dominance by a single species, mainly by one of the didymozoids Allopseudocolocyntotrema claviforme or Pseudocolocyntotrema yaito. Parasite community structure and species composition varied among sampling years. Variations were possibly caused by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors which generated notable changes in the infection levels of several component species during the study period. These communities may therefore be unpredictable in terms of structure and species composition, as has been suggested for other communities of marine parasites.

Metazoan parasite communities of the Pacific jack Caranx caninus (Pisces: Carangidae): exploring the variability of their parasite communities

ABSTRACTAn initial study was done of the metazoan parasite communities of Caranx caninus from the Pacific coast of Mexico. Parasite communities were characterised and analyses were done to determine if these experience spatial or temporal variations in structure and/or species composition. Four hundred ninety-two C. caninus were collected between April 2014 and December 2018 from four locations. Thirty-five metazoan parasite species were identified: 6 species of Monogenea, 12 Digenea, 1 Acanthocephala, 4 Nematoda, 10 Copepoda and 2 Isopoda. Monogeneans were the most frequent and abundant parasite species at all locations and in all years. Parasite species richness at the component community level varied significantly from 7 (San Blas 2017) to 22 (Acapulco 2018a). The component communities and infracommunities of C. caninus exhibited similar patterns: low species numbers, low diversity, and dominance by a single species (the monogenean Protomicrocotyle manteri). Parasite community structure and species composition varied between locations and/or sampling years. Seasonal or local fluctuations in biotic and abiotic environmental factors were probably responsible for these variations.

Metazoan parasite communities of Selar crumenophthalmus and Decapterus muroadsi (Pisces: Carangidae) from Mexican Pacific coasts

ABSTRACTMetazoan parasites communities of marine fishes can include both adults and larval stages of several endoparasite groups that use fishes as intermediate or paratenic hosts. The richness and abundance of parasite species larvae that harbour a fish species can therefore be a good indicator of that species’ role as an intermediate host to endoparasite species.The parasite communities of two small carangid fishes (Selar crumenophthalmus and Decapterus muroadsi) from Mexican Pacific coasts were quantified and analysed. Five hundred sixty-three carangids (S. crumenophthalmus, n = 402; and D. muroadsi, n = 161) were collected between April 2014 and April 2018 from three locations. Twenty-four metazoan parasite species were identified in both hosts: five species of Monogenea (adults), eight of Digenea (7 adults and 1 metacercaria), two of Cestoda (larvae), two of Nematoda (one adult and one larva), two of Acanthocephala (adults), and five of Copepoda. Larval helminths numerically dominated the endoparasite communities of both hosts, suggesting that these carangids are important intermediate hosts for several parasite species. Component parasite community richness and species composition differed between hosts, locations, and sampling years. Variations in host feeding behaviour, and body size were considered as important factors influencing these differences.

Temporal and spatial variations in the metazoan parasite communities of the Panama spadefish,Parapsettus panamensis(Pisces: Ephippidae), from the Pacific coast of Mexico

AbstractIn the tropics, variations in the structure and species composition of marine fish parasite communities over several years have received limited attention. Changes in water temperature in the tropics are not as extreme as in temperate climes, and the processes that generate variations in these parasite communities are as yet unclear. The parasite communities in populations ofParapsettus panamensisfrom four locations on the south‐central Pacific coast of Mexico were quantified and analyzed. Four hundred forty‐six fish were collected over a 6‐year period (2012; 2013; 2016a,b; and 2017). Twenty‐three metazoan parasite species were recovered and identified: three species of Monogenea (present as adults); eight species of Digenea (adults); one species of Acanthocephala (juveniles); one species of Cestoda (larvae); three species of Nematoda (two present as adults and one present as larvae); four species of Copepoda; and three species of Isopoda (two present as adults, and one present as larvae). At the component community level, parasite species richness varied significantly from 10 (Marquelia 2016) to 17 species (Acapulco Bay 2012). The component communities and infracommunities ofP. panamensisexhibited a similar pattern: low species numbers, low diversity, and dominance by a single parasite species. Parasite community structure and species composition varied between sampling years and locations. The main factors responsible for these variations were host traits such as feeding behavior and body size, and occurrence of a set of distinctive parasite species.

Species richness and similarity of metazoan parasite communities in three species of leatherjacket (Oligoplites: Pisces: Carangidae) from the Pacific coast of Mexico

AbstractSpecies richness and similarity in metazoan parasite communities of fishes can be influenced by several biotic (age, body size, vagility, feeding and social behavior, among others), and local abiotic (temperature, salinity, etc.) factors. The parasite communities of three species of Oligoplites, marine fishes from the Pacific coast of Mexico, were quantified and analyzed. Four hundred sixty‐eight leatherjackets (O. altus, n=94; O. saurus, n=260; and O. refulgens, n=114) were collected from February 2016 to June 2017 from five locations. Twenty‐eight species of metazoan parasites were recovered and identified: four species of Monogenea (adults), nine of Digenea (seven adults and two metacercariae); two of Cestoda (larvae); four of Nematoda (two adults and two larvae); four of Acanthocephala (two adults, one juvenile, and one cystacanth); four of Copepoda; and one Pentastomida (larvae). At the component community level, species richness ranged from 9 in O. saurus to 19 in O. altus. Different species of helminth dominated the component communities of each species of host. Community composition and species richness of parasites differed among the three species of host, locations, and sampling years. Host feeding behavior, body size, and vagility had the most influence on these differences.

Helminth fauna of Megaleporinus obtusidens (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from Lake Guaíba: analysis of the parasite community.

Structure of the helminth community of Megaleporinus obtusidens collected in Lake Guaíba was evaluated, and the results indicated that the diversity of helminth species was probably determined by fish behavior and eating habits. The influence of sex, weight, and standard length of hosts for parasitic indices was also analyzed. Sixteen helminth species were found parasitizing M. obtusidens, including the following: platyhelminths, with the highest richness, represented by one species of Aspidobothrea; four species of Digenea; and eight species of Monogenea; the latter, presented the highest prevalence. Rhinoxenus arietinus, found in nasal cavities, had the greater abundance, and was the only species classified as core. The prevalence of Urocleidoides paradoxus was significantly influenced by the sex of the host; females had the highest values. Abundance was weakly influenced by fish weight and the body length of the hosts. Urocleidoides sp. had its abundance weakly influenced by the host weight. The other helminths were not influenced by biometric characteristics of the hosts. The total species richness was similar between male and female fish, and both had 14 helminth species of parasites.

Murat Nehri ve Kollarında (Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi, Türkiye) Yaşayan Musul İnci Balığı (Alburnus mossulensis)'nın Metazoan Parazitlerinin Mevsimsel Enfeksiyonu

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of metazoan parasitic infections of Mosul b leak ( Alburnus mossulensis ) in Murat River in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. A total of 182 host fish were investigated, from January 2015 to March 2016. There were 972 metazoan parasites recorded in collected samples. Six species of Monogenea ( Dactylogyrus holciki , Dactylogyrus lenkorani, Dactylogyrus alatus , Dactylogyrus vistulae, Gyrodactylus sp., and Paradiplozoon homoion ), one species of Digenea ( Diplostomum spathaceum ), two species of Cestoda ( Caryophyllaeus laticeps, Ligula intestinalis ), one species of Nematoda ( Rhabdochona denudata ), one species of Hirudinea ( Piscicola geometra ) , and one species of Copepoda ( Eergasilus sp.) observed respectively. According to their prevalence from high to low ranks; Eergasilus sp. (34.6%), D. spathaceum (33%), P. homoion (19.8%), D. holciki (12.1%), C. laticeps (7.1%) D. alatus (6.6%), D. lenkorani (4.9%), R. denudata (4.9%), Gyrodactylus sp. (3.8%), P. geometra (1.6%), D. vistulae (1.1%) and L. intestinalis (0.5%) were calculated. Among these parasites D. lenkorani , D. vistulae, P. homoion, C. laticeps and R. denudata are the first record on Mosul b leak and D. holciki is the first record for Turkey freshwater fish parasites.

Parasite community of the golden cownose ray Rhinoptera steindachneri Evermann and Jenkins 1891 (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatidae), in Acapulco Bay, Guerrero, Mexico

ABSTRACTThe parasite community of the ray Rhinoptera steindachneri from Acapulco Bay was examined and quantified; analyses were based on the sex of the host and the date of sampling. A total of 171 specimens of R. steindachneri were examined during July–August of 2010, and May and July of 2012. Twenty-one species of parasites were found: three species of Monogenea; eight adult and one larval species of Cestoda; one larval species of Nematoda; five species of Copepoda; two species of Isopoda; and one species of Hirudinea. Cestodes had the greatest species richness (43% of the total species), followed by the copepods (24%). Two species of cestode, Glyphobothrium sp. and Rhinebothrium sp., were collected only from adult rays. At the component community level, species richness showed statistically significant variation between 13 and 16 species, which is similar to previous reports for other species of rays. The parasite component communities and infracommunities of R. steindachneri exhibited similar patterns: high species number and low numerical dominance by a particular species of parasite. The differences of body size of male vs. female rays, and a change in diet and feeding behaviour with the age of R. steindachneri, are likely important factors in the structuring of their parasite communities.

Parasites of the Vermilion Snapper,Rhomboplites aurorubens(Cuvier), from the Western Atlantic Ocean

ABSTRACT: Eighty-three Vermilion snappers (Rhomboplites aurorubens) from the northern Gulf of Mexico and 1 from off Puerto Rico, U.S.A., were examined for parasites. The survey resulted in recovery of 2 species of Monogenea: Euryhaliotrema tubocirrus and Microcotyloides incisa; 6 species of Digenea: Parahemiurus merus, Lecithochirium floridense, Hirudinella sp., Aponurus laguncula, Prosogonotrema bilabiatum, Preptetos trulla; 3 species of Nematoda: Hysterothylacium reliquens, Cucullanus pargi, unidentified Cucullanidae; and 3 species of Copepoda: 1 species in Chondracanthidae, 1 species in Caligidae, and Hatschekia sp. Stomach parasites dominated the assemblage with Pro. bilabiatum exhibiting the greatest prevalence (63.9%) and A. laguncula exhibiting the greatest mean intensity (4.6 parasites/infected host ± 6.4 SD) among parasites. Preptetos trulla and Hy. reliquens occurred at both locations and represented the only parasites found in the fish from Puerto Rico, U.S.A. Rhomboplites aurorubens represents...

Influence of season and site location on European cultured sea bass parasites in Corsican fish farms using indicator species analysis (IndVal).

The parasites of 536 European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, were studied between January 2012 and December 2013 in six Corsican fish farms. The indicator value (IndVal) method, which combines measures of fidelity and specificity, has been used in this study. Because of its resilience to changes in abundance, IndVal is a particularly effective tool for ecological bioindicator. The IndVal method showed how season can influence the occurrence of parasite species in cultured sea bass and also identified parasites as bioindicators relative to fish farm location. The combination of specificity and fidelity highlighted several parasite species as significant indicators. A randomization test identified five parasite species as having a significant indicator value for season (the monogenean Diplectanum aequans; the copepods Lernanthropus kroyeri and Caligus minimus; the isopod Ceratothoa oestroides, and the myxosporidian Ceratomyxa labracis). If gills parasites are compared, they can be seen to be indicator species for two different seasons. The only Monogenea species D. aequans had fidelity and specificity more pronounced in winter, whereas both copepod species and the Isopoda revealed highest rates of infestation corresponding with an increase of water temperature. Four species have a significant indicator value for site location (D. aequans, L. kroyeri, C. minimus, and C. oestroides). The fact that the farm 6 was isolated on the east coast of Corsica may not have allowed the parasite to infect other farms. The presence of copepods on a single farm can also be explained according to salinity variations. Data for species composition and infection levels should help to improve the monitoring and management of parasitism in cultured sea bass populations.

Haematological and parasitological assessment of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen farmed in Southern Brazil.

This study evaluated for two years the haematological parameters and the occurrence of gill parasites in silver catfish Rhamdia quelen, farmed in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Between March 2010 and January 2012, a total of 137 fish were caught in a fish farm to compare the haematological and parasitological analysis, during hot and cold seasons. Simultaneously, water quality parameters were measured in the pond to analyze the relationship between environmental conditions and haematology and parasitism. During the hot season, there was an increase in water temperature, electrical conductivity and ammonia followed by a decrease in dissolved oxygen, pH, transparency and alkalinity. Two species of Monogenea were observed in the gills, Aphanoblastella mastigatus (Dactylogyridae) and Scleroductus sp. (Gyrodactylidae). Additionally, during this season, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the mean intensity of infection by Monogenea, as well as total leukocytes number, thrombocytes and lymphocytes, and a reduction in monocytes. The changes might be caused by parasitism and/or environmental variations between seasons.

Helminths of the Eastern Tree Frog, Hyla orientalis, Bedriaga, 1890 (Anura: Hylidae), collected from Denizli Province, Inner-West Anatolia Region, Turkey

Abstract In this investigation, Hyla orientalis (eastern tree frog) was collected in different localities from Denizli province (Inner-west Anatolia Region — the eastern part of Aegean Region) Turkey, between 2008 and 2011 and examined for the first time for helminths. Also, this study contains first detailed SEM imaging attempt of the some amphibian helminths from Turkey. Of 17 Hyla orientalis 8 (47.05 %) were infected with one or more helminths. Hyla orientalis harbored one species of Monogenea 1 (Polystoma skrjabini), one species of Digenea (Pleurogenoides medians), three species of nematoda (Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Cosmocerca ornata and Abbreviata sp.), and one species of Acanthocephala (Acanthocephalus ranae). All helminths recorded first time for Hyla orientalis.

Monogenea (Platyhelminthes) parasites from the gills of Hoplias aff. malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Pisces: Erythrinidae) in the Upper Paraná River Floodplain, states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

In this paper, nine species of Monogenea were recorded parasitizing the gills of Hoplias aff. malabaricus from the Upper Paraná River. The host were collected by gillnets in different regions to the Upper Paraná River Floodplain between March 2010 and March 2011. The parasites were quantified, fixed and preserved according with specialized literature. All hosts analyzed were parasitized by monogeneans. The monogeneans species were recorded Urocleidoides malabaricusi, U. cuiabai, U. eremitus, U. brasiliensis, Cosmetocleithrum bulbocirrus, Vancleaveus janauacaensis, Anacanthorus sp., Dactylogyridae gen. sp. and Dactylogyridae gen. 1. sp.