Integrative taxonomy of metazoan parasites of the bluntnose sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre, 1788) in the Mediterranean Sea, with the resurrection of Grillotia acanthoscolex Rees, 1944 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha).

Appropriate diagnoses of parasites of apex marine predators are crucial to understand their biodiversity, host specificity, biogeography, and life cycles. Such diagnoses are also informative of ecological and biological characteristics of both host and environment in which the hosts and their parasites live. We here (i) investigate the parasite fauna of a bluntnose sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre, 1788) obtained from the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea), (ii) characterize molecularly all its metazoan parasites, and (iii) resurrect and report the main morphological features and phylogenetic position of Grillotia acanthoscolex, a cestode species previously synonymized with Grillotia adenoplusia. A rich parasite fauna represented by eight different taxa was found, including two monogeneans (Protocotyle grisea and Protocotyle taschenbergi), one digenean (Otodistomum veliporum), four cestodes (Crossobothrium dohrnii, Clistobothrium sp., G. acanthoscolex, and G. adenoplusia), and one copepod (Protodactylina pamelae). Sequencing of these samples accounts for an important molecular baseline to widen the knowledge on the parasitic fauna of bluntnose sixgill sharks worldwide and to reconstruct their correct food chains. The bluntnose sixgill shark was found to be a definitive host for all endoparasites found here, confirming that it occupies an apex trophic level in the Mediterranean Sea. The taxa composition of the trophic parasite fauna confirms that the bluntnose sixgill shark mostly feeds on teleost fish species. However, the occurrence of two phillobothrid cestodes (C. dohrnii and Clistobothrium sp.) suggests that it also feeds on squids. Finally, we emphasize the importance of using integrative taxonomic approaches in the study of parasites from definitive and intermediate hosts to elucidate biology and ecology of taxa generally understudied in the Mediterranean Sea.

An update and ecological perspective on certain sentinel helminth endoparasites within the Mediterranean Sea.

The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a marine biodiversity hotspot. This enclosed basin is facing several anthropogenic-driven threats, such as seawater warming, pollution, overfishing, bycatch, intense maritime transport and invasion by alien species. The present review focuses on the diversity and ecology of specific marine trophically transmitted helminth endoparasites (TTHs) of the Mediterranean ecosystems, aiming to elucidate their potential effectiveness as 'sentinels' of anthropogenic disturbances in the marine environment. The chosen TTHs comprise cestodes and nematodes sharing complex life cycles, involving organisms from coastal and marine mid/upper-trophic levels as definitive hosts. Anthropogenic disturbances directly impacting the free-living stages of the parasites and their host population demographies can significantly alter the distribution, infection levels and intraspecific genetic variability of these TTHs. Estimating these parameters in TTHs can provide valuable information to assess the stability of marine trophic food webs. Changes in the distribution of particular TTHs species can also serve as indicators of sea temperature variations in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the bioaccumulation of pollutants. The contribution of the chosen TTHs to monitor anthropogenic-driven changes in the Mediterranean Sea, using their measurable attributes at both spatial and temporal scales, is proposed.

First Insights into Population Structure and Genetic Diversity Versus Host Specificity in Trypanorhynch Tapeworms Using Multiplexed Shotgun Genotyping.

Theory predicts relaxed host specificity and high host vagility should contribute to reduced genetic structure in parasites while strict host specificity and low host vagility should increase genetic structure. Though these predictions are intuitive, they have never been explicitly tested in a population genomic framework. Trypanorhynch tapeworms, which parasitize sharks and rays (elasmobranchs) as definitive hosts, are the only order of elasmobranch tapeworms that exhibit considerable variability in their definitive host specificity. This allows for unique combinations of host use and geographic range, making trypanorhynchs ideal candidates for studying how these traits influence population-level structure and genetic diversity. Multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG) data sets were generated to characterize component population structure and infrapopulation diversity for a representative of each trypanorhynch suborder: the ray-hosted Rhinoptericola megacantha (Trypanobatoida) and the shark-hosted Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Trypanoselachoida). Adults of R. megacantha are more host-specific and less broadly distributed than adults of C. gracilis, allowing correlation between these factors and genetic structure. Replicate tapeworm specimens were sequenced from the same host individual, from multiple conspecific hosts within and across geographic regions, and from multiple definitive host species. For R. megacantha, population structure coincided with geography rather than host species. For C. gracilis, limited population structure was found, suggesting a potential link between degree of host specificity and structure. Conspecific trypanorhynchs from the same host individual were found to be as, or more, genetically divergent from one another as from conspecifics from different host individuals. For both species, high levels of homozygosity and positive FIS values were documented.

Ontogenetic and spatial variability in parasite communities of white shrimp Penaeus setiferus (Decapoda: Penaeidae).

Understanding the combined effects of multi-parasite infections on their hosts is necessary for documenting parasite impacts and is particularly important for developing effective management strategies for economically important organisms. The white shrimp Penaeus setiferus supports important recreational and commercial fisheries along the southeastern and Gulf coasts of the United States and occupies an important ecological niche in estuarine and offshore habitats throughout these regions. The goal of this study was to identify and assess ontogenetic and spatial variation in white shrimp parasite communities and their relation to shrimp health. We used a series of trawl surveys in tidal creek and open water habitats of an estuary in the southeastern USA to collect and identify parasites of white shrimp using morphological and DNA sequencing techniques. Parasite communities in white shrimp were composed of organisms belonging to 6 classes: Conoidasida (gregarines), Oligohymenophorea (apostome and sessilid ciliates), Microsporea (meiodihaplophasids), Chromadorea (rhabditids), Cestoda (cyclophyllideans, lecanocephalideans and trypanorhynchs) and Trematoda (plagiorchiids). Parasite communities differed significantly among white shrimp life stages and localities. Furthermore, the health condition known as black gill occurred in some shrimp and was significantly related to parasite community structure. Infection metrics for the apostome ciliate Hyalophysa lynni, the trypanorhynch larvae Prochristianella sp. and the rhabditid larvae Hysterothylacium sp. were significantly different between shrimp exhibiting and not exhibiting black gill. These results highlight the importance of understanding parasite communities and the potential interactive effects of multiple parasite infections on shrimp health.

Parasites of pufferfish, Lagocephalus spp. and Torquigener flavimaculosus of the Israeli Mediterranean: A new case of Lessepsian endoparasites.

With the opening of the Suez Canal as a link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in 1869, the biogeographical event of the Lessepsian migration has been starting. Aided by beneficial conditions in the new habitat, almost 500 marine species have immigrated and often established themselves in the Mediterranean Sea, including several pufferfish species, with all of them extending their range and becoming important components of the local fauna. The parasitic fauna of these pufferfish has scarcely been examined in the Mediterranean Sea or in their native range, which provides the opportunity to study host-parasite interaction in a new habitat. The present study describes the parasitic fauna in four alien invasive pufferfish species (Lagocephalus guentheri, L. sceleratus, L. suezensis, and Torquigener flavimaculosus) of various sizes and ages on the Israeli Mediterranean coast. The parasite fauna of these species was diverse (Maculifer dayawanensis Digenea; Calliterarhynchus gracilis, Nybelinia africana and Tetraphyllidea larvae Cestoda; Hysterothylacium reliquens, Hysterothylacium sp. and Raphidascaris sp. Nematoda; Trachellobdella lubrica Hirudinea and Caligus fugu and Taeniacanthus lagocephali Copepoda) and consisted of mostly generalist species, most likely acquired in the new habitat, and specialist copepod ectoparasites, having co-invaded with the pufferfish. Additionally, the oioxenic opecoelid digenean Maculifer dayawanensis was found in two pufferfish species. The genus was previously only known from the Indo-Pacific Ocean, representing the eighth reported case of a Lessepsian endoparasite so far. Our results suggest a change in parasite fauna to native Mediterranean species in the pufferfish like previously reported in other Lessepsian migrant predatory fish species and a wider spread of co-invasion of fish endoparasites to the Mediterranean Sea than previously assumed. The study also provides several new host records and the first report for parasites in T. flavimaculosus.

Marine parasite in a freshwater wetland: new host and geographical records of Progrillotia dasyatidis (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from Gasterosteus aculeatus (Actinopterygii: Gasterosteidae) in Bulgaria, with comments on its life-cycle.

Plerocerci of the trypanorhynch cestode Progrillotia dasyatidis Beveridge, Neifar & Euzet, (Progrillotiidae) were isolated from the gallbladder of the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus from a small freshwater marsh in the Lake Atanasovsko Wetlands, a coastal area adjacent to the Black Sea coast, Bulgaria. The parasite was recorded in five out of 134 fish individuals studied (prevalence 3.73%, intensity 1-7, mean intensity 2.40 ± 1.17 and mean abundance 0.09 ± 0.06). A description of the plerocerci is presented, expanding data on intraspecific variation. The present report is the first record of P. dasyatidis from G. aculeatus (new host record) and from Bulgaria (new geographical record). Recording only plerocerci with evaginated scoleces in the sticklebacks is consistent with the hypothesis that teleosts are paratenic hosts and not intermediate hosts of P. dasyatidis.

A molecular and ecological study of Grillotia (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) larval infection in small to mid-sized benthonic sharks in the Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea.

AIM: Trypanorhyncha cestodes comprise a wide range of heteroxenous parasites infecting elasmobranchs as definitive hosts. Limited data exist on the larval infection of these cestodes and the role of intermediate and paratenic hosts in the life cycle of these parasites. We investigated the factors that determine the occurrence and the level of infection of Grillotia plerocerci in the skeletal muscles of various benthonic sharks and analyzed the parasites through an integrative taxonomic approach. LOCATION: Mediterranean Sea. METHODS: Sharks obtained as bycatch of commercial trawling activities (i.e., Etmopterus spinax, Galeus melastomus, and Scyliorhinus canicula) were used in this study. Data from a limited number of Dalatias licha and Scyliorhinus stellaris were also included. Grillotia plerocerci were molecularly characterized using the partial 28S large subunit rDNA. Boosted regression trees were used to model the relationship between the abundance of infection with both morphological and physiological predictors in each host. RESULTS: Plerocerci of Grillotia were detected in all shark species except S. stellaris. Host species significantly differed in terms of parasite abundance, with the highest and lowest prevalence and abundance of infection detected in G. melastomus and E. spinax, respectively. The relative influence of the traits involved in explaining the parasite abundance was related to the host size in G. melastomus, while both morphology- and physiology-related traits explained the patterns observed in E. spinax and S. canicula. The 28S rDNA sequences shared an identity of ∼99.40% with a Grillotia species previously found in the Mediterranean Sea. At intraspecific level, two different genotypes were found. A first type was retrieved only from D. licha, whereas a second type was found in G. melastomus, E. spinax, and S. canicula. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Present results suggest that the two genotypes could be involved in different consumer-resource systems and confirm most of the examined shark species as transport hosts of Grillotia species for unknown larger top predators.

A Study on the Pathological Effects of Trypanorhyncha Cestodes in Dusky Groupers Epinephelus marginatus from the Canary Islands.

Trypanorhyncha are cestodes commonly infecting marine fish. Numerous studies have detailed the biology of Trypanorhyncha species, but information on the pathological changes produced by these parasites is limited. Dusky groupers are keystone species necessary for the preservation of several marine ecosystems. Considering their vulnerable state of conservation and the efforts being made to culture them, identification of the effects caused by Trypanorhyncha is vital. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and pathological changes produced by Trypanorhyncha in dusky groupers from the Canary Islands. The prevalence of trypanorhynch plerocerci was 96%. Grossly, in the abdominal cavity, there were numerous larvae-filled cysts and nodules. These were embedded in abundant fibrosis, producing visceral adhesions. Histologically, affecting the peritoneum, stomach, and intestine there were numerous degenerated encysted plerocerci and extensive deposition of mature connective tissue. These findings indicate that Trypanorhyncha is highly prevalent in adult dusky groupers from the Canary Islands, producing a progressive and chronic response. Furthermore, fish immune system appears to attempt to eliminate the parasites through fibrous encapsulation. Nonetheless, extensive fibrosis may have a detrimental impact on fish health when adjacent cells or tissues are compressed and their functions impaired.

New Parasite Records for the Sunfish Mola mola in the Mediterranean Sea and Their Potential Use as Biological Tags for Long-Distance Host Migration.

Studies describing the parasite fauna of sunfish species from the Mediterranean Sea are to date limited, despite information gained through parasitological examination may reveal unknown ecological and biological aspects of both hosts and parasites. Moreover, recent molecular studies on sunfish taxonomy revealed the presence of two species belonging to the genus Mola in the Mediterranean basin, namely M. mola and M. alexandrini. These two fish taxa have long been synonymized or confused among them, which implies that the majority of the studies carried out so far reported the parasites infecting both species under a single host species, generally referred to as M. mola. We hereby investigated the parasite fauna of a 43 cm long M. mola specimen from the Mediterranean Sea, whose identification was confirmed by molecular tool, and provided the first evidence of the occurrence of the nematode Anisakis simplex (s.s.) and of the cestode Gymnorhynchus isuri in Mola species anywhere. The use of helminth species as biological tags for the sunfish is also discussed.

Morphological and molecular insights of a new species of trypanorhynchid cestode parasite, Nybelinia exostigmi, in the Narrowstripe cardinal fish Apogon exostigma / Abordagens morfológicas e moleculares de uma nova espécie de parasito cestóide tripanorrinquídeo, Nybelinia exostigmi, no peixe cardinal Narrowstripe Apogon exostigma

Abstract Forty specimens of the Narrowstripe cardinal fish Apogon exostigma were examined for gastrointestinal helminthes, and 62.5% were infected with a new trypanorhynchid larval cestode parasite. The morphology of its larval stage was studied based on light and scanning electron microscopy. The data revealed plerocercoid larvae characterized by a pyriform body lined with prominent microtriches; the acraspedote scolex had four overlapping bothridia; four tentacles protruded through the pars bothridialis; the armature of the tentacles was homeocanthous, homeomorphous, and consisted of falcate compact rose-thorn-shaped tentacular hooks; four oval-shaped bulbs in pars bulbosa; and short appendix at terminal end of the body. Molecular analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences verified the taxonomy of this parasite and supported its morphology. We discovered that there was a close identity (up to 87%) with alternative species obtained for comparison from GenBank. The data also showed that there were high blast scores and low divergence values between this parasite and other Tentaculariidae species. The phyletic analysis showed that parasite sequences in conjunction with existing data places this trypanorhynchid species among the Tentaculariidae. This species is deeply embedded within genus Nybelinia with close relationships to Nybelinia queenslandensis as a putative sister taxon.

Resumo Quarenta espécimes do peixe cardinal Apogon exostigma da Narrowstripe foram examinados para identificar helmintos gastrointestinais, destes 62,5% foram infectados com um novo parasito larval cestóide tripanorrinquídeo. A morfologia de seu estágio larval foi estudada na microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. Os dados revelaram larvas plerocercoides caracterizadas por uma forma piriforme com um corpo revestido por microtrícinos proeminentes; o escolex acraspedótico tinha quatro sobreposições; quatro tentáculos se projetavam através da pars botridialis; a armadura dos tentáculos era homeocante, homeomorfa e consistia de ganchos tentaculares em forma de espinhos, em forma de falcão; quatro bulbos ovais em pars bulbosa; e apêndice curto na extremidade terminal do corpo. A análise molecular das sequências de RNAr 18S verificou a taxonomia desse parasita e apoiou sua morfologia. Descobrimos que havia uma identidade próxima (até 87%) com espécies alternativas obtidas para comparação do GenBank. Os dados também mostraram que houve altos escores de brusone e baixos valores de divergência entre este parasita e outras espécies de Tentaculariidae. A análise filética mostrou que as sequências de parasitas em conjunto com os dados existentes colocam esta espécie de tripanorimidídeo entre os Tentaculariidae. Esta espécie está profundamente enraizada no gênero Nybelinia, tendo relações próximas com Nybelinia queenslandensis como um putativo táxon irmão.

Revision of the family Sphyriocephalidae Pintner, 1913 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with the description of Heterosphyriocephalus encarnae n. sp. and redescriptions of two species of Sphyriocephalus.

The family Sphyriocephalidae Pintner, 1913, which comprises the genera Hepatoxylon Bosc, 1811, Sphyriocephalus Pintner, 1913 and Heterosphyriocephalus Palm, 2004, is revised from newly-collected and museum material. Heterosphyriocephalus encarnae n. sp. is described from the pelagic thresher, Alopias pelagicus Nakamura (Lamniformes: Alopiidae) collected from the Pacific Ocean off Boca del Alamo, Mexico. This species can be readily distinguished from the rest of sphyriocephalids by its small size, low number of proglottids and long velum with a characteristically irregular and folded border, among other features. The tentacles show a distinctive basal armature, and a heteroacanthous typical metabasal armature with heteromorphous hooks. Redescriptions are provided for Sphyriocephalus tergestinus Pintner, 1913 and S. viridis (Wagener, 1854) Pintner 1913 based on novel morphological data. A phylogenetic analysis including the available sequences of sphyriocephalid species plus new generated sequences of S. tergestinus has been performed, from which S. tergestinus is allocated into Heterosphyriocephalus as H. tergestinus n. comb. New dichotomous keys for the determination of genera of Sphyriocephalidae are provided, as well as new generic diagnoses for Sphyriocephalus and Heterosphyriocephalus and keys for the determination of species within both genera. Although the morphology of the genus Hepatoxylon is not addressed in the present study, the available sequence of the type-species has been incorporated in the phylogenetic analysis and its relationship to the other two genera of the family is discussed.

Morphological, molecular and pathological appraisal of Callitetrarhynchus gracilis plerocerci (Lacistorhynchidae) infecting Atlantic little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) in Southeastern Mediterranean.

The Atlantic little tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus, is widely distributed in temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Black and Mediterranean Seas. In this study, wild-caught little tunny from Egypt, were found to be naturally infected with trypanorhyncha metacestodes, and the overall prevalence rate of infection was 38.7%. The blastocysts were either loosely attached to the mesentery of infected fish, or firmly attached and deeply embedded within the hepatic parenchyma. These encysted plerocerci are identified as Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (Trypanorhyncha, Lacistorhynchidae) based on its morphological and molecular characterization. The morphological characteristics of C. gracilis including scolex shape; the bothridia groove; the presence of frontal glands; the length of post-larval (appendix); metabasal armature; the existence of 'Chainette' and satellite hooks of different size were studied and described by Light and Scanning electron microscope. The phylogenetic analysis of lsrDNA gene of plerocerci confirmed the identification of the species to be deeply embedded in genus Callitetrarhynchus. The histopathological examination revealed severe pathological changes in the affected organs, including necrosis, inflammatory reactions, fibrosis and migratory tracts of the parasitic larvae together with marked visceral organs adhesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the detection of C. gracilis in little tunny collected from the Abu Qir landing site in Alexandria, Egypt.

Surface ultrastructure and the mitochondrial gene rrnl of Parachristianella indonesiensis Palm, 2004 (Trypanorhyncha: Eutetrarhynchidae) with the amended generic diagnosis.

The microthrix pattern of adult Parachristianella indonesiensis Palm, 2004 is described for the first time based on the standardized terminology for microtriches, and the generic diagnosis of Parachristianella Dollfus, 1946, regarding microtriches, is also amended. The surface ultrastructure of P. indonesiensis consists of three kinds of microtriches so that the proximal and distal bothrial surfaces are covered respectively with acicular to short capilliform filitriches and aristate gladiate spinitriches interspersed with capilliform filitriches. The remainder of the scolex bears capilliform filitriches. The surface of the proglottid is adorned with acicular filitriches. There was no significant difference in the length of the capilliform filitriches covering the different parts of the scolex peduncle. For the first time, the uniciliated papillae adorned with filitriches as sensory receptors are reported from this parasitic species. The partial rrnl of P. indonesiensis is also presented as the only known sequence of this gene in the superfamily Eutetrarhynchoidea Dollfus, 1969. The pairwise comparisons of rrnl between P. indonesiensis and the trypanorhynch species for which rrnl sequence is available were in accordance with the last phylogeny presented for the order Trypanorhyncha. The infection parameters (prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity) of P. indonesiensis parasitizing Pastinachus sephen (Forsskål) from the eastern Persian Gulf were also compared during approximately 5 years, and no significant differences were observed. This may be interpreted as the stability of the factors playing important roles in the life cycle of P. indonesiensis in the eastern Persian Gulf during this period.

Microthrix pattern of Pseudogilquinia thomasi (Palm, 2000) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) and a review of surface ultrastructure within the family Lacistorhynchidae Guiart, 1927.

The microthrix pattern of larvae of Pseudogilquinia thomasi (Palm, 2000) is described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. The surface ultrastructure of this species consists of three main forms of microtriches: papilliform filitriches, acicular filitriches and quadridigitate to octadigitate palmate spinitriches. The bothria are covered with palmate spinitriches interspersed on some parts with papilliform filitriches. Palmate spinitriches with papilliform, acicular and capilliform filitriches adorn the pars vaginalis and at the anterior part of the pars bulbosa, there is a transition zone in which the palmate spinitriches are replaced by papilliform to acicular filitriches towards the end of the scolex. ANOVA tests with Duncan's post hoc analyses revealed that there are significant differences in the length of spinitriches and their prongs, whether on the surfaces of the bothria or on the surfaces of the scolex peduncle. Callitetrarhynchus gracilis Pintner, 1931 is the second lacistorhynchid species for which surfaces of the segments were examined and the occurrence of large structures called scutes are reported for the first time from this species. There were also significant differences in the base length as well as height of the scutes in different parts of the strobila. In addition to describing the surface ultrastructures of the two lacistorhynchid species, all the available information on the microtriches within the family Lacistorhynchidae is reviewed herein and generic diagnoses related to microtriches are amended.

Where are the sensory organs of Nybelinia surmenicola (Trypanorhyncha)? A comparative analysis with Parachristianella sp. and other trypanorhynchean cestodes.

The sensory organs in tegument of two trypanorhynchean species--Nybelinia surmenicola (plerocercoid) and adult Parachristianella sp. (Cestoda, Trypanorhyncha)--were studied with the aim of ultrastructural description and a comparative analysis. The Nybelinia surmenicola plerocercoid lacks papillae with sensory cilia on the bothria adhesive surface. We found an unciliated sensory organ within the median bothria fold. This unciliated free nerve ending contains the central electron-dense disc, three dense supporting rings, and broad root. The nerve ending locates in the basal matrix under the tegument. The tegument of N. surmenicola has a number of ultrastructural features which make it significantly different from other Trypanorhyncha: (i) the tegumental cytoplasm has a plicated constitution in a form of high apical and deep basal folds, (ii) numerous layers of the basal matrix are presented in the subtegument, and (iii) the squamiform and bristlelike microtriches N. surmenicola lack the base and the basal plate. In contrast, numerous ciliated and unciliated receptors were found in Parachristianella sp.: six types on the bothria and one type in the strobila tegument. Ultrastructural constitution of sensory organs in the form of ciliated free nerve endings as well as unciliated basal nerve endings of Parachristianella sp. has many common features inside Eucestoda. In comparison with other Trypanorhyncha, all Nybelinia species studied have less quantity of the bothrial sensory organs. This fact may reflect behavioral patterns of Nybelinia as well as phylogenetic position into Trypanorhyncha. Our observations of living animals conventionally demonstrate the ability of N. surmenicola plerocercoids to locomote in forward direction on the Petri dish surface. The participation of the bothrial microtriches in a parasite movement has been discussed.

Parasites of the Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) in Alagoas, Brazil / Parasitas de Cioba Lutjanus analis (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) em Alagoas, Brasil

A parasitological survey was carried out on a sample of sixty mutton snappers (Lutjanus analis) that were caught on the coast of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. The parasite diversity and infection levels were low. The ectoparasite Rocinela signata Schioedte & Meinert, 1879 (Isopoda: Aegidae), and larvae of two endoparasites, Trypanorhyncha gen. sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae), were detected. The significance of these parasites is discussed in the context of their transmission pathways and potential impact.

Um estudo parasitológico foi realizado em 60 exemplares de cioba, Lutjanus analis, capturados ao largo de Alagoas, no Nordeste do Brasil. A diversidade e níveis de infecção parasitária foram baixos. Foram detectados o ectoparasito Rocinela signata Schioedte & Meinert, 1879 (Isopoda: Aegidae) e dois endoparasitos, larvas de Trypanorhyncha gen. sp. e larvas de Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). O significado desses parasitos é discutido no âmbito das suas vias de transmissão e potencial impacto.

Cestóides Trypanorhyncha parasitos de Scianideos de importância comercial, capturados no Litoral Amazônico, Brasil

Foram examinados 201 exemplares de peixes das espécies Cynoscion acoupa (Lacepède, 1801), Macrodon ancylodon(Bloch e Scheider, 1801), Plagioscion squanosissimus (Heckel, 1840), todos da família scianidea, no período de agosto de2006 a dezembro de 2007, com o objetivo de registrar e identificar cestoides da ordem Trypanorhyncha, que parasitampeixes de valor comercial capturados no litoral amazônico. Os peixes foram identificados e mensurados durante a filetagem.Foram examinadas as seguintes regiões do corpo: serosa e as musculaturas dorso-lateral e ventro-abdominal. Os blastócitosde Trypanorhyncha encontrados foram removidos e levados ao Laboratório de Pesquisa Carlos Azevedo da UFRA para suaidentificação. Do total de peixes pesquisados 138 (68,65%) estavam parasitadas por cestoides da ordem Trypanorhyncha,sendo registradas as seguintes espécies de parasitas: Poecilancistrium caryophyllum, Pterobothrium heteracanthum,Pterobothrium crassicolle e Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, sendo P. caryophyllum a que apresentou a maior prevalência, ocorrendoem todas as espécies de peixes estudadas. A musculatura dorso-lateral, a de maior valor comercial, foi a região commaiores índices parasitários. A alta taxa de parasitismo mostra a necessidade da realização de estudos epidemiológicos,assim como o desenvolvimento de procedimentos de inspeção e controle das parasitoses em peixes de interesse co

Poecilancistrium caryophyllum (Diesing, 1850) (Cestoda, Trypanorhyncha), parasito de Macrodon ancylodon (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) do litoral Norte do Brasil / Poecilancistrium caryophyllum (Diesing, 1850) (Cestoda, Trypanorhyncha), parasite of Macrodon ancylodon (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) from the Northern littoral of Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi registrar a presença de cestoides Trypanorhyncha, suas prevalências e intensidades de infecção, na musculatura e serosa abdominal parietal de 50 exemplares de Macrodon ancylodon, capturados no litoral Norte do Brasil e beneficiados em Belém, Estado do Pará, durante o período de junho de 2004 a janeiro de 2005. A musculatura e serosa abdominal dos peixes foram examinadas em mesa de inspeção candling table após o filetamento das amostras. Oito peixes encontravam-se parasitados por plerocercoides da espécie Poecilancistrium caryophyllum, com prevalência de 16 por cento e intensidade média de infecção de um plerocerco por peixe, tendo como único sítio de infecção a musculatura. A espécie Poecilancistrium caryophyllum é, pela primeira vez, registrada para M. ancylodon.

The aim of this research was to report the presence of Trypanorhyncha cestodes, their prevalence and mean intensity in the muscles musculature and abdominal serose in commercial fish processed in Belém, Pará State. Fifty specimens of M. ancylodon were captured in the North Coast of Brazil. The musculature and adjacent abdominal serose of fish were analized in a "candling table" after filleted. Eight specimens were parasitized by plerocercoids of Poecilancistrium caryophyllum, with a prevalence of 16 percent and mean intensity of infection of one plerocercus per fish, varying from the unique site of infection was the musculature. The species P. caryophyllum is reported by the first time on M. ancylodon.

Cestóides Trypanorhyncha parasitos de peroá, Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 comercializados no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Trypanorhyncha cestodes parasitic in grey-triggerfish, Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 purchased in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Entre junho de 2005 e agosto de 2006 foram adquiridos 100 espécimes de peroá, Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789, em estabelecimentos de pescado nos municípios de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro. Os peixes foram medidos, necropsiados, filetados e seus órgãos analisados. Destes espécimes analisados 9 peixes estavam parasitados por plerocercos pertencentes à espécie Callitetrarhynchus gracilis e C. speciosus, apresentando respectivamente, 9% e 2% de prevalência, 14,4 e 1 de intensidade média e 0,13 e 0,02 de abundância média, amplitude da variação da intensidade de infecção em C. gracilis foi de 1 a 32 e C. speciosus apresentou um parasito por peixe, sendo os sítios de infecção, respectivamente, mesentério e fígado, e mesentério. Estas duas espécies são relatadas pela primeira vez em B. capriscus.

One hundred specimens of grey triggerfish, Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 purchased from markets of municipalities of Niterói and Rio de Janeiro from June 2005 to August 2006. The fishes were measured, necropsied, fileted and analysed their orgarns. Nine fishes were parasitized by metacestodes of Trypanorhyncha, the collected species were Callitetrarhynchus gracilis and C. speciosus with respectivelly, 9% and 2% of prevalence, 14.4 and 1 of mean intensity, and 0.13 and 0.02 of mean abundance, the range of intensity of infection by C. gracilis were 1 to 32 and C. speciosus showed one parasite in each fish, and the sites of infection were respectivelly, mesentery and liver, and mesentery. These two species were reported in B. capriscus for the first time.

Nematóides da família Anisakidae e cestóides da ordem Trypanorhyncha em peixes teleósteos comercializados no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Nematodes of Anisakidae family and cestodes of Trypanorhyncha order in teleosts fishes commercialized in Rio de Janeiro State

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a pesquisa de formas larvares de nematóides da família Anisakidae e cestóides da ordemTrypanorhyncha em peixes teleósteos de grande comercialização no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram necropsiados 79espécimes que tiveram a sua cavidade geral e musculatura analisadas quanto à presença de parasitos. Do total de exemplaresde peixes, aproximadamente 20 por cento apresentaram pelo menos uma das espécies de parasitos pesquisados. As espécies depeixes mais acometidos por cestóides da ordem Trypanorhyncha foram Lophius gastrophisus (6) e Netuma barba (6), amboscom valores de 66,7 por cento. Os maiores percentuais de exemplares positivos para nematóides da família Anisakidae foram de 60,0 por cento para Genypterus brasiliensis (5); 47,6 por cento para Pagrus pagrus (21), e 42,9 por cento para Pseudopercis numida (7). As espéciesMicropogonias furnieri e Pagrus pagrus apresentaram ambos os parasitismos.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of nematodes larvaes of Anisakidae family and cestodes larvaes ofTrypanorhyncha order, in teleosts fishes commercialized in Rio de Janeiro state. Were necropsied 79 specimens and analyzedfor the presence of parasites. Of the total of units, about 20 percent had at least one species of parasite. The most infested species bycestodes of the order Trypanorhyncha was Lophius gastrophisus (6) and Netuma barba (6), both of them with values of 66,7 percent.However the high percentiles of positive units for nematodes of the Anisakidae family were 60,0 percent for Genypterus brasiliensis(5); 47.6 percent for Pagrus pagrus (21), and 42.9 percent for Pseudopercis numida (7). The species Micropogonias furnieri and Pagruspagrus had presented both the parasitisms.