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.
Bomolochidae Claus, 1875, é uma família de copépodes cujas espécies encontram-se amplamente distribuídas pelo mundo e são parasitas de peixes marinhos. Este estudo relata, pela primeira vez, Hamaticolax scutigerulus (Wilson, 1935) (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) no saramunete Pseudupeneus maculatus (Bloch, 1793) do litoral de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. Prevalência de 35%, intensidade média de infestação de 1,9±1,3 e abundância média de 0,7±1,2 foram observadas. As setas e os espinhos da armadura das pernas do parasito das espécies de Hamaticolax foram analisadas para identificar a presente espécie.
Subject(s)
Ectoparasitic Infestations , Fishes , Marine EnvironmentABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Parasitic isopods of fishes usually show wide distribution and low host specificity. This study investigated the occurrence of gill parasites in 120 specimens of spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus, marine fish of great economic importance for fishery community. The fish were captured monthly in the Coast of Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil, between October 2012 and September 2013. Eleven isopods were found and identified as Rocinela signata. We observed lower infections in the gills of P. maculatus (prevalence 8.3%, mean intensity 1.6±0.3 and mean abundance 0.1±0.3) when compared to other studies of different host fishes from geographically close locations. This parasite has been reported from a wide variety of fish species, not only in Brazil, but also in the eastern Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. This is the first report of R. signata in spotted goatfish.