Distribution of cysts holding Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa metacercariae in tissues and organs of mugilid / Distribuição de cistos contendo metacercárias de Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa em tecidos e órgãos de mugilídeos

Abstract Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa is an etiological agent of human phagicolosis. Mugilids are the second intermediate host, the first being Heleobia australis, and mugilids predatory birds and mammals are its definitive hosts. The occurrence of cysts holding A. longa metacercariae is described in mugilids with a prevalence of up to 100%. The wide geographical distribution of A. longa and its intermediate hosts coupled with the rise in the consumption of raw or poorly cooked fish may elevate the risk of human infection. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to verify the distribution pattern of cysts holding A. longa in mugilids. The tissue and organ samples of these fish were processed in a domestic blender and examined under a stereoscopic microscope to identify the cysts holding the digenetic metacercariae. Of the 24 (100%) fish samples that were analyzed, 12 of Mugil curema and 12 of Mugil liza possessed cysts holding A. longa metacercariae. Digenetic cysts were identified to be present in the gills, heart, stomach, liver, intestines, mesentery, and muscular tissues collected from M. curema and M. liza. Conclusively, in M. curema, the cysts holding A. longa metacercariae were found to be distributed randomly throughout the fish body in almost every tissue and organ that was examined.

Resumo Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa é o agente etiológico da fagicolose humana. Os mugilídeos são os segundos hospedeiros intermediários. O primeiro é Heleobia australis e pássaros e mamíferos predadores de mugilídeos, os hospedeiros definitivos. A ocorrência de cistos contendo metacercárias de A. longa é descrita em mugilídeos, com até 100% de prevalência. A ampla distribuição geográfica de A. longa e seus hospedeiros intermediários, acompanhado do aumento do consumo de peixe cru ou mal cozido, pode aumentar o risco de infecção humana, portanto o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o padrão de distribuição de cistos, contendo metacercárias de A. longa, em mugilídeos. Amostras de tecidos e órgãos desses peixes foram processadas em liquidificador doméstico e observadas em microscópio estereoscópico à procura de cistos contendo metacercárias do digenético. Todos os 24 (100%) mugilídeos, 12 Mugil curema e 12 Mugil liza examinados apresentaram cistos contendo metacercária de A. longa. Foram observados cistos do digenético nas brânquias, coração, estômago, fígado, intestino, mesentério e tecido muscular de M. curema e de M. liza. Em M. curema, os cistos contendo metacercárias de A. longa estão distribuídos de forma aleatória por praticamente todos os tecidos e órgãos dos mugilídeos examinados.

Haematology of Mugil curema from the north coast estuary of Santa Catarina state, Brazil / Hematologia de Mugil curemaem estuário no litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Mugil curema é um peixe teleósteo, abundante em regiões costeiras, estuarinas e lagunares, em todo o litoral brasileiro. Os parâmetros sanguíneos podem ser usados como indicadores da saúde e do bem-estar dos peixes, bem como do ambiente onde estes vivem. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o perfil hematológico de M. curema ao longo de 18 meses, em águas estuarinas, no Litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil. Um total de 133 peixes foram capturados, entre março de 2016 e agosto de 2017, para realização de eritrograma, leucograma, trombocitograma, porcentagem de hematócrito, dosagem de hemoglobina, dosagem de proteína plasmática total, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM). Não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre o número total de eritrócitos entre machos e fêmeas. No entanto, houve diferença no hematócrito, entre machos e peixes de sexo indeterminado. As influências do espaço temporal e geográfico, entre os valores dos parâmetros hematológicos, nos diferentes estudos do litoral brasileiro são discutidas. A presente investigação é importante contribuição para o estabelecimento de um padrão hematológico para M. curema. A população local de peixes estudada tem comportamento próprio em descritores hematológicos, diferenciado de outros estudos no litoral brasileiro

Mugil curema is a teleost fish often found in coastal, estuarine and lagoon regions throughout the Brazilian coast. Blood parameters may be used as health and welfare indicators of the fish, as well as the environment they live in. The aim of this study was to verify the hematologic profile of the M.curema along 18 months in estuary waters from the north coast of the state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. A total of 133 M. curema fish were captured from March 2016 to August 2017. Erythrogram, leukogram, thrombocytogram, hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin dosage, total plasma protein dosage, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and medium corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) on the total number of erythrocytes between the fish gender. However, there was difference on the hematocrit between males and indefinite gender fish. The influences of temporal and geographical space, among the values of hematological parameters, in the different studies of the Brazilian coast are discussed.. The present research is an important contribution to establish a hematological pattern for M. curema. The local population of the studied fish has a proper behavior in hematological descriptors, which is different from other Brazilian coast studies with the same fish species.

Haematology of Mugil curema from the north coast estuary of Santa Catarina state, Brazil / Hematologia de Mugil curema em estuário no litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Mugil curema is a teleost fish often found in coastal, estuarine and lagoon regions throughout the Brazilian coast. Blood parameters may be used as health and welfare indicators of the fish, as well as the environment they live in. The aim of this study was to verify the hematologic profile of the M.curema along 18 months in estuary waters from the north coast of the state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. A total of 133 M. curema fish were captured from March 2016 to August 2017. Erythrogram, leukogram, thrombocytogram, hematocrit percentage, hemoglobin dosage, total plasma protein dosage, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and medium corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) on the total number of erythrocytes between the fish gender. However, there was difference on the hematocrit between males and indefinite gender fish. The influences of temporal and geographical space, among the values of hematological parameters, in the different studies of the Brazilian coast are discussed.. The present research is an important contribution to establish a hematological pattern for M. curema. The local population of the studied fish has a proper behavior in hematological descriptors, which is different from other Brazilian coast studies with the same fish species.

Mugil curema é um peixe teleósteo, abundante em regiões costeiras, estuarinas e lagunares, em todo o litoral brasileiro. Os parâmetros sanguíneos podem ser usados como indicadores da saúde e do bem-estar dos peixes, bem como do ambiente onde estes vivem. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o perfil hematológico de M. curema ao longo de 18 meses, em águas estuarinas, no Litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, sul do Brasil. Um total de 133 peixes foram capturados, entre março de 2016 e agosto de 2017, para realização de eritrograma, leucograma, trombocitograma, porcentagem de hematócrito, dosagem de hemoglobina, dosagem de proteína plasmática total, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM). Não houve diferença significativa (P>0,05) entre o número total de eritrócitos entre machos e fêmeas. No entanto, houve diferença no hematócrito, entre machos e peixes de sexo indeterminado. As influências do espaço temporal e geográfico, entre os valores dos parâmetros hematológicos, nos diferentes estudos do litoral brasileiro são discutidas. A presente investigação é importante contribuição para o estabelecimento de um padrão hematológico para M. curema. A população local de peixes estudada tem comportamento próprio em descritores hematológicos, diferenciado de outros estudos no litoral brasileiro para a mesma espécie.

Baja variabilidad y diferenciación genética poblacional en la "lisa", Mugil incilis (Teleostei: Mugilidae) del Caribe colombiano

La "Lisa" Mugil incilis, es uno de los recursos ícticos más importante de la industria pesquera artesanal del Caribe de Colombia. Sin embargo, sus poblaciones llevan siendo sobreexplotadas por décadas, que en conjunto con el deterioro de su hábitat podrían estar causando un efecto negativo en la variabilidad genética de las mismas. Con el objetivo de generar información científica que permita apoyar decisiones y políticas más adecuadas de manejo pesquero y conservación se evaluó la variabilidad y la estructura genética de M. incilis a lo largo de la costa del Caribe de Colombia. Se seleccionaron seis sistemas costeros, entre ellos tres lagunas costeras de acceso abierto a la pesca (Ciénaga La Virgen, Ciénaga La Caimanera y Bahía de Cispatá) y tres santuarios de fauna y flora de la red de Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (los santuarios de fauna y flora Los Flamencos, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta y El Corchal). Se utilizaron siete loci microsatélites, los cuales revelaron 94 alelos con un promedio de 11.6 alelos por locus. Los valores de variabilidad genética en todos los sitios de muestreo fueron bajos (Ho = 0.108-0.402), aunque demostraron tener un alto potencial genético (He = 0.772-0.868). Se encontró que todos los loci presentaron desequilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg debido a una deficiencia de heterocigotos. Esto fue concordante con los eventos de cuellos de botellas recientes que se determinaron en todas las lagunas y las causas pueden ser la sobrepesca y la presencia de alelos nulos. Los resultados del análisis de estructuración genética demostraron la existencia de tres poblaciones, una conformada por las localidades ubicadas desde el sector de La Guajira hasta Sucre y una segunda en Bahía de Cispatá y la tercera en la Ciénaga La Caimanera. Este estudio sugiere que los procesos involucrados en el nivel de aprovechamiento pesquero, en el ciclo reproductivo y en las condiciones oceanográficas de la región del Caribe Sur determinan la variabilidad y estructura genética de M. incilis. Se proponen recomendaciones para el manejo y conservación de M. incilis.

The "Mullet" Mugil incilis is one of the most important fish resources of the artisanal fishing industry of the Colombian Caribbean. However, their populations are being overexploited for decades, which together with the deterioration of their habitat could be causing a negative effect on the genetic variability of their populations. In order to generate scientific information to support decisions and more appropriate fisheries management and conservation policies, the variability and genetic structure of M. incilis along the Caribbean coast of Colombia was evaluated. Six coastal systems were selected, including three coastal lagoon systems with open access to fishing (Ciénaga La Virgen, Ciénaga La Caimanera and Bahía de Cispatá) and three coastal lagoons belonging to fauna and flora sanctuaries of the network of National Natural Parks of Colombia (Los Flamencos, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta and El Corchal). Seven microsatellite loci were used, which revealed 94 alleles with an average of 11.6 alleles per locus. The values of genetic variability in all sampling sites were low (Ho = 0.108-0.402), although they showed a high genetic potential (He = 0.772-0.868). All the loci presented departures from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations due to a deficiency of heterozygotes. This was in agreement with the events of recent bottlenecks that were determined in all the lagoons and the causes could be overfishing and the presence of null alleles. The analysis of genetic structuring revealed the existence of two populations, one formed by the localities located from La Guajira to Sucre; a second in Bahía de Cispatá and the third one in Ciénaga La Caimanera. This study suggests that the processes involved in the level of fishing exploitation, in the reproductive cycle and in the oceanographic conditions of the South Caribbean region determine the genetic variability and structure of M. incilis. Recommendations for the management and conservation of M. incilis are proposed.

Gill morphology in two bottom feeder Mediterranean Sea fishes: Grey Gurnard Fish (Eutrigla gurnardus, Linnaeus, 1758) and Striped Red Mullet Fish (Mullus barbatus surmuletus, Linnaeus, 1758) by scanning electron microscopy / Morfología de las branquias en dos peces que se alimentan en el fondo del Mar Mediterráneo: Gurnard Grises (Eutrigla gurnardus, Linnaeus, 1758) y salmonete rojo rayado (Mullus barbatus surmuletus,Linnaeus, 1758) por microscopía electrónica de barrido

The purpose of the current investigation was to describe the gill morphology of two bottom feeders Mediterranean Sea fishes: Striped red mullet fish (M. surmuletus) and grey gurnard fish (E. gurnardus) that showed the same feeding habits. The gill system of the grey gurnard consisted of four pairs of gill arches while consisted of three pairs of gill arches in the striped red mullet. Our study focused on the scanning electron microscopical (SEM) features of the gills, where some differences in the gill arches and gill rakers surface in both species were observed. Our results marked that there was an interbranchial septum carrying a four transverse elevated crest in grey gurnard while in striped red mullet carrying a median longitudinal elevated crest. There are some similar structure on the gill arch of two fishes as; no angle between a ceratobranchial part and epibranchial part and also the gill arch has a region of many longitudinal microridges demarcated the region between gill rakers and gill filaments. By SEM, in striped red mullet, the smooth surface of gill arch and gill rakers was characterized by the presence of high number of taste buds. By SEM in grey gurnard, gill raker appeared as a round short projected body with high number of curved apex spines. Furthermore, in striped red mullet, gill raker appeared as short projected body with high number of rod-like spines. Gill filaments were long at middle and short at extremities of gill arch in both species.

El propósito de este trabajo fue describir la morfología de las branquias de dos peces que se alimentan en el fondo del mar Mediterráneo: Gurnard grises (E. gurnardus) y salmonete rojo rayado (M. surmuletus) los cuales mostraron los mismos hábitos alimenticios. El sistema de branquias del E. gurnardus gris consiste en cuatro pares de arcos branquiales, mientras que en el salmonete rayado son tres pares. El estudio se centró en la observación de las características de las branquias por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), donde se visualizaron algunas diferencias en ambas especies tanto en los arcos branquiales, como en la superficie de las ramas branquiales. Nuestros resultados marcaron la presencia de un septum interbranchial que presentaba cuatro crestas elevadas a nivel transversal en el E. gurnardus gris, mientras que el salmonete rayado presentaba una cresta elevada mediana longitudinal. Hay una estructura similar en el arco branquial de los dos tipos de peces, pero no hay ángulo entre una parte ceratobranquial y la parte epibranquial. Además, el arco branquial tiene una región de muchas microrredes longitudinales que delimitan la región entre las ramas branquiales y los filamentos branquiales. Por MEB, en el salmonete rayado, la superficie lisa del arco branquial y el de las ramas branquiales se caracterizaron por la presencia de un alto número de papilas gustativas. Por MEB en E. gurnardus gris, las branquias aparecieron como un cuerpo corto proyectado con un alto número de espinas de vértice curvo. Además, en el salmonete rojo rayado, el rastrillo de las branquias apareció como un cuerpo corto proyectado con un alto número de espinas tipo bastón. En ambas especies los filamentos branquiales eran largos en el centro y cortos en los extremos del arco branquial.

Exogenous enzyme complex prevents intestinal soybean meal-induced enteritis in Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836) juvenile

ABSTRACT Four soybean meal-based diets containing increasing levels of an enzyme complex (E50, E100, E150 and E200 at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ton-1, respectively) and one soybean meal-based diet without the enzyme complex (E0) were fed in triplicate to M. liza juveniles in a semi-static flow system with 20 fish per tank for 75 days. There were no differences between the treatments for animal performance parameters, but fish fed the enzyme complex treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values of calcium bone retention compared with control fish. Although there was no relationship between bacterial counts in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract or enzyme levels, filamentous bacteria were increased in E50 compared with E150. All of the treatments resulted in higher bacterial counts in the stomach than in intestinal segments. Histological screening showed serious to moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells, modification in villus morphology and necrosis in some cases in fish fed the E0 diet. In addition, fish from the E0 treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower lipid deposition in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore, the use of low levels of exogenous enzyme is recommended in diets for M. liza when soybean meal is used as the main source of protein.

Pygidiopsis summa (Digenea: Heterophyidae): Status of Metacercarial Infection in Mullets from Coastal Areas in the Republic of Korea

To know the infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in brackish water fish, we surveyed mullets collected from 18 coastal areas in the Republic of Korea. The metacercariae of Pygidiopsis summa were detected in 236 (68.2%) out of 346 mullets examined. They were found in mullets from 15 areas except for those from Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Pohang-si, and Uljin-gun (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Especially in mullets from Taean-gun (Chungcheongnam-do) and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), their prevalences were 100% and 95.5%, and the average metacercarial density was more than 1,000 per fish. They were also detected in mullets from 3 coastal lakes, Gyeongpoho, Songjiho, and Hwajinpoho, in Gangwon-do, and their average densities were 419, 147, and 672 per infected fish, respectively. The metacercariae of 5 other heterophyid species, including Heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Metagonimus sp., Stictodora fuscata, and Stictodora lari, were found in the mullets examined. The metacercariae of H. nocens were detected in 66.7, 100, 28.6, 81.6, 3.9, 61.5, and 27.3% of mullets from Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Haenam-gun, Gangjin-gun, and Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Hadong-gun, and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), and their metacercarial intensities were 64, 84, 119, 99, 1, 24, and 24 per fish infected, respectively. From the above results, it has been confirmed that P. summa metacercariae are heavily infected in mullets from coastal areas of Korea. It is suggested that residents who frequently consume raw mullet dish can be easily infected with heterophyid flukes.

Stellantchasmus falcatus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Cambodia: Discovery of Metacercariae in Mullets and Recovery of Adult Flukes in an Experimental Hamster

Stellantchasmus falcatus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is first reported from Cambodia through recovery of the metacercariae from mullet fish and adult flukes from an experimentally infected hamster. We purchased 7 mullets, Chelon macrolepis, in a local market of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and each of them was examined by the artificial digestion method on May 2010. The metacercariae of S. falcatus were detected in all mullets (100%) examined, and their average density was 177 per fish. They were elliptical, 220×168 μm in average size. They were orally infected to an hamster to obtain adult flukes. Adults recovered at day 10 post infection were observed with a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). They were small, 450×237 μm in average size, had a small oral sucker (41×50 μm), subglobular pharynx (29×21 μm), slender esophagus (57 μm), long and thick-walled expulsor (119×32 μm), spherical ovary (58×69 μm), and 2 ovoid testes (right: 117×74 μm; left: 114×63 μm). Eggs were small, yellow, and 23×12 μm in average size. In SEM observations, tegumental spines were densely distributed on the whole tegument, and single small type I sensory papillae were distributed around the lip of oral sucker. The small ventral sucker was dextrally located and had 8 type I sensory papillae on the left margin. It has been first confirmed in the present study that the mullet, C. macrolepis, is playing the role of a second intermediate host of S. falcatus in Cambodia.

Morphologic and Genetic Evidence for Mixed Infection with Two Myxobolus Species (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) in Gray Mullets, Mugil cephalus, from Korean Waters

The present study was performed to trace the decisive evidence for mixed infection of 2 Myxobolus species, M. episquamalis and Myxobolus sp., in the gray mullet, Mugil cephalus, from Korean waters. Mullets with whitish cyst-like plasmodia on their scales were collected near a sewage plant in Yeosu, southern part of Korea, in 2009. The cysts were mainly located on scales and also found in the intestine. The spores from scales were oval in a frontal view, tapering anteriorly to a blunt apex, and measured 7.2 microm (5.8-8.0) in length and 5.3 microm (4.7-6.1) in width. Two polar capsules were pyriform and extended over the anterior half of the spore, measuring 3.5 microm (2.3-4.8) in length and 2.0 microm (1.5-2.2) in width. In contrast, the spores from the intestine were ellipsoidal, 10.4 microm (9.0-11.9) in length and 8.4 microm (7.3-10.1) in width. The polar capsules were pyriform but did not extend over the anterior half of the spore, 3.7 microm (2.5-4.5) in length and 2.2 microm (1.8-2.9) in width. The nucleotide sequences of the 18S rDNA gene of the 2 myxosporean spores from scales and intestine showed 88.1% identity to each other and 100% identity with M. episquamalis and 94.5% identity with M. spinacurvatura from mullet, respectively. By the above findings, it is first confirmed that mullets from the Korean water are infected with 2 myxosporean species, M. episquamalis and Myxobolus sp.

Assessment and management of white mullet Mugil curema (Valencienne, 1836) (Mugilidae) fisheries of the south coast of São Paulo state, Brazil / Avaliação e gestão da pesca do parati Mugil curema (Valencienne, 1836) (Mugilidade) no litoral sul do estado de São Paulo

There is intense fishing activity, mainly artisanal, in the Cananéia, Iguape and Ilha Comprida Estuarine System. White mullet (Mugil curema) is one of the local fishery resources and is usually caught with gillnets and fish traps. This study aimed to characterise the Mugil curema fisheries thereby underpinning the management of the species in the region. The study was developed with data collected from landings in the town of Cananéia, São Paulo state, Brazil, from 1995 to 2009. Production data, fishing effort and CPUE were used to assess the evolution of captures. The gillnets were characterised by interviewing fishermen from 16 communities in Cananéia. White mullet fishery has aroused the interest of fishermen in the region since the 80s and today it is one of the main products of artisanal estuarine fishery off the south coast of São Paulo. The major landings occur in the warmer months with fish traps and gillnets being the main fishing gear used. The largest catches occur in the spawning months of the species from October to April. The highest landings varied according to different fishing gear, showing differences primarily due to trade preferences and to the structure of the fishing gear. According to the index of abundance used in this study, the resource is overfished due to the progressive increase in fishing effort, so it is suggested that measures should be taken to control fishing effort, such as special fishing permits to catch white mullet, especially with gillnets. The current management measures neither meet the needs of fishermen nor the preservation of the resource, and must be reviewed in a participatory way with management agencies and the fishery sector, ensuring greater legitimacy and success in the sustainability of the activity.

No Complexo Estuarino Lagunar de Cananeia-Iguape-Paranaguá ocorre uma intensa atividade pesqueira, principalmente artesanal, tendo o parati (Mugil curema) um dos recursos pesqueiros, sendo capturado geralmente com redes de emalhe e cercos-fixos. O presente trabalho visa caracterizar a pesca do Mugil curema, trazendo subsídios para o ordenamento de sua exploração. O trabalho foi desenvolvido com os dados de desembarque no município de Cananeia, no período de 1995 a 2009. Utilizaram-se dados de produção, esforço pesqueiro e CPUE para avaliar a evolução das capturas, e a rede de emalhe foi descrita através de entrevistas com os pescadores de 16 comunidades de Cananeia. A pesca de parati despertou interesse dos pescadores da região a partir da década de 1980, sendo atualmente um dos principais produtos pesqueiros da pesca artesanal estuarina no litoral sul de São Paulo. Seus maiores desembarques ocorrem nos meses quentes, tanto com redes de emalhe, como outro aparelho de pesca denominado de "cerco-fixo". As maiores capturas ocorrem no período de desova da espécie entre os meses de outubro a abril. A diferença no período de maiores desembarques entre os aparelhos de pesca ocorreu principalmente devido a preferências comerciais e por causa da estrutura do aparelho. De acordo com os índices de abundância utilizados o recurso está em sobre-pesca, devido ao progressivo aumento do esforço pesqueiro, assim sugere-se que sejam tomadas medidas para controle do esforço pesqueiro, como permissões especiais para pescadores trabalharem na pesca do parati, principalmente com redes de emalhe. As atuais medidas de ordenamento não atendem os pescadores, nem a preservação do recurso, tendo de ser revistas de maneira participativa entre os órgãos gestores e o setor pesqueiro, garantindo maior legitimidade e sucesso na sustentabilidade da atividade.

Karyotype characterization of Mugil incilis Hancock, 1830 (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae), including a description of an unusual co-localization of major and minor ribosomal genes in the family

This study reports the description of the karyotype of Mugil incilis from Venezuela. The chromosome complement is composed of 48 acrocentric chromosomes, which uniformly decrease in size. Therefore, the homologues can not be clearly identified, with the exception of one of the largest chromosome pairs, classified as number 1, whose homologues may show a subcentromeric secondary constriction, and of chromosome pair number 24, which is considerably smaller than the others. C-banding showed heterochromatic blocks at the centromeric/pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes, which were more conspicuous on chromosomes 1, given the C-positive signals include the secondary constrictions. AgNO3 and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 45S rDNA demonstrated that the nucleolus organizer regions are indeed located on the secondary constrictions of chromosome pair number 1. FISH with 5S rDNA revealed that the minor ribosomal genes are located on this same chromosome pair, near the NORs, though signals are closer to the centromeres and of smaller size, compared to those of the major ribosomal gene clusters. This is the first description of co-localization of major and minor ribosomal genes in the family. Data are discussed from a cytotaxonomic and phylogenetic perspective.

Se presenta la primera descripción del cariotipo de Mugil incilis de Venezuela. El complemento cromosómico está compuesto por 48 cromosomas acrocéntricos uniformemente decrecientes en tamaño. Por lo tanto, los homólogos no pueden ser claramente identificados, con excepción de uno de los pares de mayor tamaño, clasificado como número 1, cuyos homólogos poseen una constricción secundaria subcentromérica, y el par de cromosomas número 24, considerablemente más pequeño que los otros. El bandeo-C reveló bloques heterocromáticos en las regiones centroméricas/pericentroméricas de todos los cromosomas, más conspicuas en el cromosoma 1 en el que las señales C-positivas se encuentra localizada precisamente en la constricción secundaria. La tinción con AgNO3 y la Hibridación Fluorescente in situ (FISH) con sonda 45S rDNA revelaron que las regiones organizadoras del nucléolo están ciertamente localizadas sobre la constricción secundaria del cromosoma número 1. FISH con 5S rDNA reveló que los genes ribosomales menores están ubicados en este mismo par cromosómico, en posición proximal a las NORs, aunque cercanas al centrómero y de menor tamaño en comparación con los clúster de genes ribosomales mayores. Ésta es la primera descripción de co-localización de genes ribosomales mayores y menores en la familia Mugilidae. Los datos se discuten bajo perspectivas citotaxonómicas y filogenéticas.

Molecular Markers for Identification of Stellantchasmus falcatus and a Phylogenic Study using the HAT-RAPD Method

Stellantchasmus falcatus is a minute intestinal fluke in the family Heterophyidae. Metacercariae, the infective stage, were reported in a marine fish, mullet Liza subviridis, and a fresh water fish, Dermogenus pusillus, in Thailand. Adults were found in chicks, rats, cats, and humans. Morphological studies were done for comparing Stellantchasmus sp. worms found in 2 different fish hosts; their shapes and organ arrangements were very similar except for the prepharynx length. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare their DNA fingerprints using the HAT-RAPD method for both types of Stellantchasmus and several other related species. Ten arbitrarily selected primers (OPA-04, OPA-09, OPN-02, OPN-03, OPN-09, OPN-12, OPP-11, OPR-15, OPX-13, and OPAD-01) were used. It was found that OPA-09, OPN-03, and OPAD-01 were able to generate S. falcatus specific fragments in mullets which consisted of 200, 760, and 280 bp, respectively. In addition, the results of morphologic, DNA fingerprinting, and phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that the fresh water and marine specimens of Stellantchamus may be different species.

Prevalence of Zoonotic Metacercariae in Two Species of Grouper, Epinephelus coioides and Epinephelus bleekeri, and Flathead Mullet, Mugil cephalus, in Vietnam

Fishborne zoonotic metacercariae have not been reported from brackish water and marine fish from Vietnam waters although these parasites are common in the country's freshwater fish. Both wild-caught and cultured grouper (Epinephelus coioides and Epinephelus bleekeri), and mullet (Mugil cephalus) from brackish and marine waters locate in Khanh Hoa province in central coastal Vietnam were examined, and found positive for zoonotic trematode metacercariae. From grouper, Heterophyopsis continua and Procerovum varium were recovered. The prevalence of H. continua ranged from 2.0 to 6.0% and that for P. varium ranged from 11.6 to 15.8%. Mullet were infected with Pygidiopsis summa and H. continua both of these species are new records for Vietnam. The prevalence of P. summa in mullet was generally high, ranging from 17.6 to 75.5%, and was significantly higher than the prevalence of H. continua (2.5 to 32.4%). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of metacercariae between grouper from natural or cultured habitats, indicating that the highest risk of infection occurs in the wild-caught state prior to their placement in culture. Further, there was no difference in metacercarial prevalence between the 2 species of grouper. Infected wild-caught seed were only observed from January to October. Monthly variation in prevalence suggests seasonal variation in mullet infections occurs in this region with the highest transmission taking place from October to December. Basic investigations on the ecology and epidemiology of these intestinal flukes need to be carried out to determine their significance as a public health problem and the aspects of their biology that may be vulnerable to control interventions.

A new endemic focus of Heterophyes nocens and other heterophyid infections in a coastal area of Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

To know the prevalence of heterophyid trematodes among inhabitants of a southern coastal village, i.e., Sacho-ri, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (Province), 82 stool samples were examined on helminth eggs and protozoan cysts using Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Total 33 people (40.2%) were positive for trematodes (Heterophyes nocens; 15 people, Pygidiopsis summa; 3, Metagonimus sp.; 4, Clonorchis sinensis; 7, Gymnophalloides seoi; 6) and/or protozoa (Entamoeba coli; 3). Among intestinal trematode egg positive cases, 17 were treated with praziquantel and their whole diarrheic stools were collected after purgation. Adult flukes of H. nocens (number of specimens=1,294), P. summa (386), Stellantchasmus falcatus (5), Stictodora lari (4), and Heterophyopsis continua (1) were collected using a stereomicroscope. To know the source of human H. nocens infections in this village, metacercarial infections in mullets (10) were examined and most H. nocens metacercariae (101/105, 96.2%) were found in the trunk portion. From above results, the surveyed coastal village has been newly known as an endemic focus of human H. nocens infection and consuming raw mullets was the presumable source of human heterophyid infections.

A survey of Heterophyes nocens and Pygidiopsis summa metacercariae in mullets and gobies along the coastal areas of the Republic of Korea

The infection status of mullets Mugil cephalus (n = 139) and gobies (n = 35) Acanthogobius flavimanus with metacercariae of Heterophyes nocens and Pygidiopsis summa was examined in 11 western, southern, and eastern coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, using a digestion technique. Heterophyid metacercariae were highly prevalent in mullets from western and southern coastal areas; Shinan-gun (100% for H. nocens and 100% for P. summa), Muan-gun (93% and 100%), Buan-gun (42% and 75%), Seocheon-gun (73% and 53%), Ganghwa-gun (47% and 100%), Sacheon-shi (47% and 77%), and Gangjin-gun (50% and 70%, respectively). Only 1 (10%) of 10 mullets from an eastern coastal area, i.e., Donghae-shi, was positive for P. summa metacercariae. Metacercarial densities were the highest in the trunk of mullets for H. nocens and the gill for P. summa. Gobies from Muan-gun were positive for H. nocens (40%) and P. summa metacercariae (40%), and gobies from Seocheon-gun revealed H. nocens metacercariae (20%). The metacercarial density was remarkably higher in mullets than in gobies. The results revealed that H. nocens and P. summa metacercariae are prevalent in mullets and gobies from coastal areas of the Republic of Korea, and the prevalence and intensity of infection vary according to geographical locality.