Gill metazoan parasites of the spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus (Ostheichthyes: Mullidae) from the Coast of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluated the parasite fauna on the gills of spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus captured in the dry and rainy seasons in the coast of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Eight parasite species were identified belonging to the following taxa: Monogenea (Haliotrema caraibensis, Haliotrema caballeroi and Haliotrema golvani); Crustacea (Rocinela signata, Hamaticolax scutigerulus and Caligidae gen. sp.) and Cestoda (Nybelinia indica and Pseudolacistorhynchus noodti). The most prevalent parasites were: Monogenea (100%), H. scutigerulus (35%), N. indica (11.7%), R. signata (8.3%), Caligidae gen. sp. (3.33%) and P. noodti (0.83%). Values of infestation are compared to other studies, and the uncommon occurrence of Trypanorhyncha on the gills suggests that the spotted goatfish could be an intermediate host for the parasite.

Alternate abstract:

O presente estudo investigou a fauna parasitária das brânquias do peixe conhecido como saramunete Pseudupeneus maculatus, capturados nas estaçöes seca e chuvosa na costa do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Oito especies de parasitos foram identificadas, pertencentes aos seguintes táxons: Monogenea (Haliotrema caraibensis, Haliotrema caballeroi e Haliotrema golvani); Crustacea (Rocinela signata, Hamaticolax scutigerulus e Caligidae gen. sp.) e Cestoda (Nybelinia indica e Pseudolacistorhynchus noodti). Os parasitos mais prevalentes foram: Monogenea (100%), H. scutigerulus (35%), N. indica (11,7%), R. signata (8,3%), Caligidae gen. sp. (3,33%) e P. noodti (0,83%). Os valores de infestaçâo säo comparados a outros estudos, e a ocorrencia incomum de cestóides Trypanorhyncha sugere que o saramunete pode ser um hospedeiro intermediário para o parasito.