Renocila richardsonae Williams & Bunkley-Williams, 1992 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae), a parasite of Japanese goatfish, Upeneus japonicus off Sarawak, South China Sea

@#Renocila richardsonae Williams & Bunkley-Williams, 1992 is recorded for the first time from Sarawak coastal waters. During a survey of marine fishes at depth of 200 metres in South China Sea, off the coast of Sarawak from 3° to 5°N and 110° to 111°E, five specimens of Renocila richardsonae were collected from Japanese goatfish, Upeneus japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782) (Mullidae) with average prevalence of 17% and mean intensity of one isopod per fish from examination of 64 fish. The isopod was observed to cause tissue damage on the site of attachment to the host.

First report of Artystone trysibia (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) in Caquetaia spectabilis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) / Primeiro relato de Artystone trysibia (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) em Caquetaia spectabilis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae)

Abstract The present study provides the first record of an isopod parasite (Artystone trysibia) on Caquetaia spectabilis, a cichlid from the eastern Amazon collected in the State of Amapá, northern Brazil. In May 2018, specimens of C. spectabilis were collected in the lower Jari River, and 33.3% were parasitized by A. trysibia on the tegument tissue between pelvic fins. No hemorrhage or injury signals were observed in the tegument of the host. This study also expanded the distribution of A. trysibia to the eastern Amazon.

Resumo O presente estudo fornece o primeiro registro de um isópode parasito (Artystone trysibia) em Caquetaia spectabilis, um ciclídeo da Amazônia coletado no estado do Amapá, norte do Brasil. Em maio de 2018, espécimes de C. spectabilis foram coletados no baixo Rio Jari e 33,3% estavam parasitados por A. trysibia dentro do orifício tegumentar localizado na região ventral, entre as nadadeiras pélvicas de C. spectabilis. Nenhuma hemorragia ou lesões foram observadas no tegumento dos hospedeiros. Este estudo amplia a distribuição de A. trysibia para a Amazônia oriental.

Effect of the parasitic isopod, Catoessa boscii (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), a buccal cavity parasite of the marine fish, Carangoides malabaricus

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of isopod parasite Catoessa boscii (C. boscii) on Carangoides malabaricus (C. malabaricus).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The host fish C. malabaricus infested by C. boscii were collected directly from the trawlers landed at Parangipettai coast during December 2008 to November 2009. Data regarding the total length, width, weight and sex of the host fish were recorded. Effect of infestation on C. malabaricus, the length and weight data were analysed and host specificity of isopods was also examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the sampling period, 585 C. malabaricus were examined. Among them, 218 specimens were found to carry 243 parasites. Three pairs of isopods (one male with one female) were recorded from the host fish and each pair was attached to the tongue in the buccal cavity of the host. Another pair was also found where the male and male, female and female isopod had settled on the tongue in the buccal cavity. Gross lesions observed in the buccal cavity of infested fish showed small pin-holes in the tongue region, through which dactyls of pereopod's penetrating claws dig into the host tissues. The maximum weight loss was reported in females (5.43%) than in males (3.75%) of C. malabaricus. Due to infestation of different isopod parasites in both male and female fish, the effects on the length-weight relationship of C. malabaricus were compared. The rate of increased growth in weight in uninfested female fish was found to be higher than that of the infested. The weight gain is faster in uninfested fish than in the infested fish.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>From the above mentioned observations, it is clear that the worst of fish on account of the infestation of isopods are the C. malabaricus succumbed to the attack of isopod parasites. Although, the infestation did not cause immediate death, it had affected the normal growth of the host fish.</p>

Effect of the parasitic isopod, Catoessa boscii (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), a buccal cavity parasite of the marine fish, Carangoides malabaricus

Objective: To examine the effect of isopod parasite Catoessa boscii (C. boscii) on Carangoides malabaricus (C. malabaricus). Methods:The host fish C. malabaricus infested by C. boscii were collected directly from the trawlers landed at Parangipettai coast during December 2008 to November 2009. Data regarding the total length, width, weight and sex of the host fish were recorded. Effect of infestation on C. malabaricus, the length and weight data were analysed and host specificity of isopods was also examined. Results:During the sampling period, 585 C. malabaricus were examined. Among them, 218 specimens were found to carry 243 parasites. Three pairs of isopods (one male with one female) were recorded from the host fish and each pair was attached to the tongue in the buccal cavity of the host. Another pair was also found where the male and male, female and female isopod had settled on the tongue in the buccal cavity. Gross lesions observed in the buccal cavity of infested fish showed small pin-holes in the tongue region, through which dactyls of pereopod’s penetrating claws dig into the host tissues. The maximum weight loss was reported in females (5.43%) than in males (3.75%) of C. malabaricus. Due to infestation of different isopod parasites in both male and female fish, the effects on the length-weight relationship of C. malabaricus were compared. The rate of increased growth in weight in uninfested female fish was found to be higher than that of the infested. The weight gain is faster in uninfested fish than in the infested fish. Conclusions:From the above mentioned observations, it is clear that the worst of fish on account of the infestation of isopods are the C. malabaricus succumbed to the attack of isopod parasites. Although, the infestation did not cause immediate death, it had affected the normal growth of the host fish.

Ectoparasitic crustaceans on mullet, Mugil curema (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) in the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil / Crustáceos ectoparasítos em tainha, Mugil curema (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) nas águas costeiras do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

White mullet is a commercial fish species abundant in the coastal waters of Brazil. This study investigated the occurrence of crustacean ectoparasites on white mullet, Mugil curema captured from the littoral waters of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. From 2006 to 2007, 31 individuals of M. curema were captured and encountered ectoparasites were observed, identified and counted. M. curema was parasitized by ectoparasitic crustaceans, caligid copepods, Caligus bonito and Caligus sp.; ergasilid copepods, Ergasilus versicolor and E. lizae; and isopod Cymothoa spinipalpa. Of the caligids detected, 66.66% were C. bonito and 33.33% Caligus sp. C. bonito occurred on males of M. curema during the drought season and Caligus sp. occurred on females during the rainy season. The prevalence of both caligid species was 3.23%. Of the ergasilids detected, E. versicolor (91.67%) occurred during the drought and rainy seasons, whereas E. lizae (8.33%) occurred during the rainy season. Prevalence of E. versicolor was 35.48% and E. lizae was 3.23%. C. spinipalpa was detected during the drought and rainy seasons with a prevalence of 16.13%. The preferred site of fixation by the parasites was the branchial chambers.

As tainhas são peixes marinhos de valor comercial, abundantes em águas costeiras brasileiras. O presente estudo investigou a ocorrência de crustáceos ectoparasitos na tainha, Mugil curema no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram capturados 31 exemplares de M. curema no período de março de 2006 a março de 2007 e os ectoparasitos encontrados foram coletados, observados, identificados e quantificados. M. curema foi parasitado por vários crustáceos ectoparasitos: caligídeos: Caligus bonito e Caligus sp.; ergasilídeos: Ergasilus versicolor e E. lizae; e isópode Cymothoa spinipalpa. Dos caligídeos detectados 66,66% foi de C. bonito e 33,33% de Caligus sp. Caligus bonito ocorreu somente nos machos de M. curema durante a estação seca e Caligus sp. ocorreu somente nas fêmeas durante a estação de chuva. A prevalência de caligídeos foi 3,23%. Dos ergasilídeos detectados, E. versicolor (91,67%) ocorreu durante ambas as estações de chuva e seca, enquanto que E. lizae (8,33%) ocorreu somente durante a estação de chuva. A prevalência de E. versicolor foi 35,48% e de E. lizae foi 3,23%. Isópodo C. spinipalpa foi encontrado no período seco e de chuva com uma prevalência de 16,13%. O local de fixação preferido pelos parasitos copépodos e isópodos foi a câmara branquial do M. curema.

Effects of temperature and salinity on the survival rates of coxicerberus ramosae (Albuquerque, 1978), an interstitial isopod of a Sandy Beach on the coast of Brazil

The tolerance to the combined effects of temperature and salinity was investigated in the interstitial isopod Coxicerberus ramosae (Albuquerque, 1978), a species of intertidal zone of sandy beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The animals were collected on Praia Vermelha Beach. The experiments lasted 24 h and nine salinities and seven temperatures were used for a total of 63 combinations. Thirty animals were tested in each combination. The species showed high survival in most of the combinations. The temperature of 35 ºC was lethal and at 5 ºC, the animals tolerated only a narrow range of salinities. The statistical analyses showed that the effects of temperature and salinity were significant on the survival, which confirmed the euryhalinity and eurythermy of this species.

A resistência aos efeitos combinados de temperatura e salinidade foi investigada no isópode intersticial Coxicerberus ramosae (Albuquerque, 1978) encontrado comumente na zona intertidal de praias arenosas do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os exemplares foram coletados na Praia Vermelha. Os experimentos tiveram a duração de 24 horas e nove salinidades e sete temperaturas foram utilizadas, perfazendo um total de 63 combinações. Em cada combinação de T e S foram testados 30 animais. A espécie mostrou um grande percentual de sobrevivência na maior parte das combinações. A temperatura de 35ºC foi letal e na temperatura de 5ºC a espécie resistiu a uma faixa estreita de salinidades. As análises estatísticas mostraram que tanto os efeitos da temperatura como da salinidade e da interação entre estes fatores foram significativos na sobrevivência da espécie.O alto percentual de sobrevivência da espécie nas diferentes combinações de temperatura e salinidade, confirma, portanto, a eurialinidade e a euritermia da espécie, características comuns das espécies intersticiais litorais.

Biodiversidad de crustáceos peracáridos en el delta del Río Orinoco, Venezuela / Biodiversity of peracarid crustaceans in the Orinoco River Delta, Venezuela

The composition, abundance, diversity and density of benthonic peracarid crustaceans were studied in the Orinoco river delta, Venezuela. Samples were collected at 18 sites distributed in five areas: one at the high delta, two at the medium sector and two at the low delta. Two field seasons were included: high waters (18-28 November 2002) and low waters (8-19 May 2003). Three samples were dredged at each sampling site, identifying more than 510 specimens belonging to eight families and 11 species: Amphipoda (three families, six species), Isopoda (one family, one species), Tanaidacea (two families, three species), Cumacea (one family) and Mysida (one family, one species). Two species (Discapseudes surinamensis and Halmyrapseudes spaansi) and an unidentified species of Kalliapseudes are new records for Venezuela. Their density and distribution suggest that a salinity gradient influenced longitudinal distribution: greater densities and species richness were in the lower delta, near the mouth of the Mariusa and Winikina rivers.

Para evaluar la composición, abundancia, diversidad y densidad de crustáceos peracáridos en los sedimentos de la región del delta del río Orinoco (Venezuela), establecimos cinco áreas de muestreo: una en el alto delta, dos en el sector medio y dos en el bajo delta (18 estaciones). Hicimos dos muestreos de campo: época de “aguas altas” o lluvia (18-28 noviembre/2002) y “aguas bajas” o sequía (8-19 de mayo, 2003). Tomamos tres muestras de bentos mediante dragas, identificando un total de 515 individuos, pertenecientes a 8 familias y 11 especies en total: Amphipoda (tres familias, seis especies), Isopoda (una familia, una especie), Tanaidacea (dos familias, tres especies), Cumacea (una familia) y Mysida (una familia, una especie), de las cuales dos fueron nuevas citas para el país: Discapseudes surinamensis y Halmyrapseudes spaansi, así como una especie no identificada de Kalliapseudes. La densidad y distribución de estos organismos sugiere la existencia de gradientes de influencia marina, con las mayores densidades y riqueza de especies en áreas cercanas a las desembocaduras de los caños Mariusa y Winikina.

Vanamea GEN. NOV. FOR Livoneca symmetricaVAN NAME,1925, (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) AND A REDESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES BASED ON SPECIMENS FROM BRAZILIAN PIRANHAS

Studies of the cymothoid isopod Livoneca symmetricaVan Name, 1925, showed that this species has characters that preclude its inclusion in LivonecaLeach, 1818, or in any other known genus. The species is redescribed on the basis of male and female specimens from the mouth cavities of Amazonian piranhas (Serrasalmus spilopleura(Kner) and S. elongatusKner) and Vanameagen. nov. is proposed for it. The new genus is defined as having: a cephalon that is not immersed in pereonite 1; mandibles that are "foot-shaped" and without incisors, pereopods that are long and unequal in size and shape; a pleon that is not immersed in the pereon; and a pleotelson that is inflated anteriorly and medially.

Estudos do isopode Cymothoidae, Livoneca symmetricaVan Name, 1925, mostraram que esta espécie tem caracteres que impossibilitam sua inclusão em LivonecaLeach, 1815, ou em qualquer outro gênero conhecido. A espécie é redescrita na base de machos e fêmeas provenientes das cavidades bucais de piranhas amazônicas (Serrasalmus spilopleura(Kner) e S. elongatusKner) e Vanameagen. nov. é proposto para ela. O novo gênero define-se por apresentar: um cefalón não envolvido pelo primeiro pereonito; mandíbulas com a "forma de pé" e sem incisores; pereópodos compridos e desiguais em tamanho e forma; um pleon não envolvido pelo último pereonito; e um pleotelso inflado anterior e medialmente.

Anphira branchialis GEN. ET SP. NOV. (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) A GILL CAVITY PARASITE OF PIRANHAS (Serrasalmus SPP.) IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Anphira branchialisgen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is described from the dorsal areas of the gill chambers of three species of piranhas (Serrasalmusspp.). The fishes were caught in rivers near Manaus, Amazonas State and on Maracá island, Federal Territory of Roraima, Brasil. The new genus and species is characterized by having large, flat coxal plates on ail 7 pereonites. These plates usually extend beyond the margins of the following segments and the 7th ones extend nearly to the pleotelson and cover the lateral margins of the pleonites. The mandible of this species is rounded, "foot shaped" and without incisor. The mandibular palp is short and stout. The maxillules have 3 terminal and 2 subterminal spines. The pleopods are simple lamellar structures with rounded tips. Evidence is presented that these parasites feed on gill filaments.

Anphira branchialisgen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) aqui descrito é proveniente das áreas dorsais das cavidades branquiais de três espécies de piranhas (Serrasalmusspp.). Os peixes foram capturados em rios nas cercanias de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas e na Ilha de Maracá, no Território Federal de Roraima, Brasil. O novo gênero e espécie caracterizam-se por ter placas coxais grandes e achatadas em todos os 7 pereonitos. Cada uma das placas geralmente ultrapassa a margem do segmento seguinte e as sétimas estendem-se quase até o pleotelso, cobrindo as margens laterais dos pleonitos. A mandíbula desta espécie é arredondada, em "forma de pé" e carece de incisor. O palpo mandibular é curto e forte. As maxíllulas têm três espinhos terminais e dois subterminais. E apresentada evidência sugerindo que estes parasitos comem filamentos branquiais de seus hospedeiros.