ABSTRACT
In freshwater ecosystems, parasite infection patterns are influenced by factors including spatial-temporal variations, host diet, and habitat. Fish often change diets, affecting their parasite communities. This study focused on non-native host fish Geophagus sveni, aiming to characterize diet and endoparasitic helminth fauna patterns in the invaded area, investigating spatial and seasonal possible differences of endoparasite infections and correlating with host diet, in São José dos Dourados River and Tietê River areas. The host fish were collected in these areas during the dry and rainy season using gillnets. The endoparasites were collected and preserved in alcohol and identified using taxonomic methods, and stomach contents were examined for diet analysis. Parasitism descriptors were calculated and evaluated spatially and seasonally by ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis tests. PERMANOVA assessed G. sveni diet differences, and RDA correlated the endohelminth abundance with the host diet. Two endoparasites were recorded: metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Trematoda) and larvae and adults of Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) lanfrediae (Nematoda). Spatial differences were observed for the mean abundance and prevalence of R. (S.) lanfrediae and A. compactum prevalence. Seasonal variations of parasitic descriptors occurred for the nematode in the Tietê River area. The detritus and aquatic insects were the most consumed items by G. sveni. Detritus consumption positively correlates with nematode abundance. The findings indicate that factors such as artificial channels and rainfall, which can influence resource availability, may affect the fish's diet and potentially influence the structure of its endoparasite community. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding trophic chain-transmitted parasites and calls for further research in Neotropical environments.
Subject(s)
Diet , Fish Diseases , Helminthiasis, Animal , Rivers , Seasons , Animals , Rivers/parasitology , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Helminthiasis, Animal/parasitology , Helminthiasis, Animal/epidemiology , Trematoda/isolation & purification , Trematoda/classification , Brazil/epidemiology , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Nematoda/classification , Helminths/isolation & purification , Helminths/classification , Gastrointestinal Contents/parasitologyABSTRACT
This study evaluated the diet and reproductive aspects of the population of Pimelodus maculatus around net cage fish farming in order to assess the possible impacts of this activity. Monthly collections were performed from March 2008 to February 2009 on two populations: one close to the net cages (NC) and one from an area not influenced by these cages denominated the "reference site" (RS). Results of the Alimentary Index (AI), Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), reproductive potential and histological analysis were obtained for both NC and RS populations. The population from NC used leftover food (ration) that escapes from net cages as the main food item (99.3%). For the RS population, the detritus item was the more important food source (51.7%). The Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that the use of food resources was different between the two sites. The reproductive period of the species (indicated by the GSI) revealed that the population of the NC showed an extended reproductive period compared to RS. The histology of the ovaries indicated that the specimens in the NC were spawning capable. This study indicates that fish farming activities influence the species P. maculatus in the Chavantes reservoir by adding a new resource to the food web.
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a dieta e os aspectos reprodutivos da população de Pimelodus maculatus residentes ao redor de tanques-rede. Os peixes foram coletados mensalmente, de março/2008 a fevereiro/2009, a partir de duas populações: uma próxima ao ambiente de tanques-rede (NC) e a outra em uma área não influenciada pelos tanques-rede, denominada área de referência (RS). As análises do Índice Alimentar (AI), Índice Gonadossomático (IG), Potencial Reprodutivo e Histologia das gônadas foram realizadas para as populações das duas áreas amostradas. As populações de NC utilizaram-se de restos de ração que escapam dos tanques-rede, como principal fonte alimentar (99,3%). Para a população do RS, os detritos foram a fonte mais importante (51,7%). A análise de Correspondência Destendenciada (DCA) mostrou diferenças na utilização dos recursos alimentares entre as duas populações. O período reprodutivo das espécies (indicado pelo IG) mostrou que a população do NC apresentou maior período reprodutivo em relação às populações do RS. A histologia dos ovários indicou que os espécimes de NC estavam aptos à desova. Este estudo adverte que as atividades de piscicultura influenciam a referida espécie na represa de Chavantes pela adição de um novo recurso para a cadeia alimentar.
