PARASITIC HELMINTH COMMUNITY OF THE PUDDINGWIFE WRASSE HALICHOERES RADIATUS (LINNAEUS) IN REEFS FROM VERACRUZ, MEXICO.

A total of 1,218 helminths ascribed to 11 taxa (6 at species, 3 at generic, 1 at family, and 1 at order level) in 101 specimens of Halichoeres radiatus (Pisces: Labridae) were caught in the Veracruz Coral Reef System National Park, southern Gulf of Mexico. These helminths include 4 trematode species (3 adults and 1 metacercaria), a cestode species (larvae), 5 nematode species (2 adults and 3 larvae), and an acanthocephalan species (juvenile). Nine correspond to new host records, 2 of them are new geographic records, and 6 species were recorded with 1 helminth per infected host. The larvae of Scaphanocephalus expansus (Creplin, 1842) Jägerskiöld, 1903, and larvae of the order Tetraphyllidea were the parasites with the highest prevalence and mean intensity. Species richness (S = 11) and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H' = 1.1) were lower than those recorded for host-parasite communities in the locality. The fact that 10 of the total of 11 parasitic species were found in fish intestines suggests that infection is a result of host feeding habits.

Helminth Communities of Anisotremus virginicus (Perciformes: Haemulidae) In Veracruz, Mexico.

A helminthological analysis was performed on 91 specimens of the porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus (Linnaeus) (Haemulidae), captured in coral reef habitats of the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (PNSAV) (Veracruz Reef System National Park), in Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 22 helminth taxa were recorded: 9 digeneans, 6 monogeneans, 1 cestode, 4 nematodes, and 2 acanthocephalans. From the 22 taxa, 11 are new host records and 7 are new geographic records. The highest prevalence was found for Monorchis latus Manter, 1942 (69%), and Mexicana anisotremumCezar, Paschoal and Luque, 2012 (68%), and the highest mean intensity was found for M. anisotremum (19.6), M. latus (18.9), and Dollfusentis chandleri Golvan, 1969 (10.8). Other important values were the component community richness (S = 22), diversity (Shannon index H' = 1.6), and infracommunity level (S = 3.1 ± 1.4; Brillouin index, H = 0.52 ± 0.3), which were similar to those found in other marine fish at the same study site. Our result represents a significant range extension for several helminth taxa. The parasite communities of A. virginicus rank among the richer parasite communities of neotropical marine fishes. In addition, the results reveal the PNSAV is a diverse area for the parasite assemblage of neotropical reef marine fishes, particularly of haemulids but also for other fish families.

Description of a new species of Engraulicola George 1960 (Monogenea: Gastrocotylidae) parasitizing gills of Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Carangidae) from Veracruz, southern Gulf of Mexico.

Engraulicola lamothei n. sp. (Monogenea: Gastrocotylidae) is described from the gills of Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Teleostei: Carangidae) from Veracruz, southern Gulf of Mexico. This monogenean is 1110-1670 (1328) µm long and 260-550 (363) µm wide. The haptor is asymmetrical, the long side has several clamps (35-42), and the short side has a single clamp; the posterior end has a small lappet armed with two dissimilar pairs of hooks. Male and female genital pores open near the anterior body end; the male genital pore is ventral, armed with a corona of 12 spines; the female pore is dorsal and unarmed. The new species differs from Engraulicola forcipopenis George, 1960 and from Engraulicola micropharyngella Unnithan, 1967 by lacking a pair of pointed forceps-like spines at the end of the penis amid the corona spines, and from Engraulicola thrissocles Tripathi, 1959 by the number of clamps on both sides, the number the hook pairs on the terminal lappet and the testis number. This is the first record of the genus Engaulicola George, 1960 on the Atlantic West Coast.

Dataset on the diversity of helminth parasites of freshwater fish in the headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos river, in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled " Diversity of helminth parasites of freshwater fish in the headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos river, in Oaxaca, Mexico " published in International Journal for Parasitolology: Parasites and Wildlife. This dataset document the diversity of helminth parasites found in 25 fish species from 8 families from rivers in the headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos river basin at the border between Oaxaca and Veracruz states, Isthmus of Tehuantepec zone, southeastern Mexico, in the northernmost end of Central America. We record here 48 species, 44 genera and 29 helminth families. Most of the helminth species recorded in this area has also been collected from Central American bodies of freshwater south of Mexico. The material in this Data in Brief paper comprised the raw data on the abundance distribution of each helminth taxa recorded in each of the host and location; i. e. the number of helminth individuals of each helminth taxa found in each one individual fish from each species from each of the localities sampled. The data set is contained in one text-table matrix per fish-host, date of collection and locality of helminth taxa (lines) per fish host species (columns).

Diversity of helminth parasites of freshwater fish in the headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos River, in Oaxaca, Mexico.

We documented the diversity of helminth parasites of 25 fish species from 8 families occurring in the headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos river basin. This river flows along the border between the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, in the region of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in south-eastern Mexico, and in northern Central America. We recorded 48 species, representing 44 genera and 29 helminth families. Six of the 25 fish species were examined for helminths for the first time; 60 new host records were reported. Nematodes and trematodes were the most abundant taxonomic groups. The helminth fauna from our study area consists of primarily central American species. Most species recorded from this area have also been captured from freshwater bodies between the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Isthmus of Panama. However, three species, including an acanthocephalan and two nematodes, are likely endemic to this area. We argue that, in contrast to the presence of larval helminths, which mostly depends on the geographical location of water bodies, adult helminths are an integral and consistent component of the regional community. Data on taxonomic composition and distribution of helminth fauna reported in this paper, contribute to a better understanding of this faunal component in northern Central America (CA). Furthermore, knowledge of helminth parasites of freshwater fish from Neotropical Mexico and CA facilitates prediction of which parasite species is likely to infect fish in a specific geographical area.

PARASITIC HELMINTHS INFECTING Eucinostomus melanopterus AND Eugerres plumieri (PERCIFORMES: GERREIDAE), FROM BOCA DEL RIO, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO / Helmintos parásitos de Eucinostomus melanopterus y Eugerres plumieri (Perciformes: Gerreidae), de Boca del Río, Veracruz, México

ABSTRACT A helminthological examination was carried out on 14 specimens of Eucinostomus melanopterus (flagfin mojarra) and 19 Eugerres plumieri (striped mojarra), of which a total of 461 helminths were collected. As a result, and 12 taxa were registered (five species, five genus and tow family), as follows: four monogeneans, five digeneans (four adults, one metacercaria), one cestode (larva) and tow nematodes (larvae). The highest prevalence was for Neodiplectanum mexicanum (29 %) infecting E. melanopterus and Aristocleidus hastatus (37 %) infecting E. plumieri. Both hosts shared 50 % of recorded species, and none of the identified helminthes represents a zoonotic risk.

RESUMEN Se efectuó un examen helmintológico a 14 especímenes de Eucinostomus melanopterus (mojarra bandera) y 19 Eugerres plumieri (mojarra rayada), de los cuales se recolectaron un total de 461 helmintos. Se identificaron 12 taxones (cinco a nivel de especie, cinco a género y dos a familia) como sigue: cuatro monogéneos, cinco digéneos (cuatro adultos, una metacercaria), un céstodo (plerocercoide) y dos nemátodos (larvas). La prevalencia más alta fue para Neodiplectanum mexicanum (29 %) en E. melanopterus y Aristocleidus hastatus (37 %) en E. plumieri. Ambos hospederos comparten el 50 % de los taxones de parásitos. Ninguno de los helmintos representa un riesgo zoonótico.

Heavy Metals in Muscle Tissue of Pterois volitans from the Veracruz Reef System National Park, Mexico.

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were measured in the muscle of 30 specimens of Pterois volitans, captured on April 2018, in the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP), Veracruz, Mexico. Concentrations, in the samples, were quantified with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), after microwave digestion. Results of the mean concentration, in descending order were V = 7.3 ± 0.7; Pb = 0.66 ± 0.07; Zn = 0.43 ± 0.14; and Cd = 0.03 ± 0.01 mg kg-¹ dry weight. These values did not exceeded limits established in the Mexican National Standard (NOM-242-SSA1-2009), of Cd and Pb (0.5 mg kg-¹) wet weight. This means that consumption of lionfish from this site does not pose a potential risk for human health.

Helminth parasites of the red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) from the reef Santiaguillo, Veracruz, Mexico.

A total of 21 helminth species were recovered from 52 specimens of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus , captured in the reef Santiaguillo, Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, State of Veracruz, in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. These helminths included 9 trematodes (7 adults and 2 metacercariae), 4 nematodes (3 adults and 1 larva), 4 acanthocephalans (1 adult and 3 juvenile), 2 cestodes (both larvae), and 2 monogeneans. Sixteen of the 21 species are new host records; 7 are common species with a prevalence >40% and mean intensity >4.1. The monogenean Euryhaliotrema tubocirrus was the most-prevalent parasite with a prevalence of 78.8%, followed by the intestinal plerocercoids of Tetraphyllidea with a prevalence of 59.6%. The richness (S = 21), and diversity (Shannon index H = 2.17) in the component community, as well as in the infracommunity level (S = 5.1 ± 2.2, H = 0.92 ± 0.4), was similar to those found in other marine fish of temperate and tropical latitudes. The present study suggests that the composition of the parasite community is associated with the host feeding habits because 18/21 of the recorded species are trophically transmitted.

Helminth parasites of freshwater fish in Chiapas, Mexico.

An inventory based on previously published records and original data is presented for the helminth parasites reported in 54 fish species from 17 families from the state of Chiapas, southeast Mexico. This survey reports the presence of 43 helminth species in Chiapas for the first time. The actualized inventory of helminth parasites of freshwater fish from Chiapas contains 88 species from 67 genera and 40 helminth families. Trematodes and nematodes were the most abundant taxonomic groups. The helminth fauna in freshwater fishes from Chiapas consists of Central American species. All the helminth species recorded in Chiapas have also been collected from bodies of freshwater between the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Isthmus of Panama. This inventory shows that this fauna is quite similar to that from the neighboring basins of the lower Grijalva-Usumacinta system and the Yucatan Peninsula. The taxonomic composition and distribution data reported here for the helminth fauna of Chiapas' freshwater fish, contribute to a better understanding of this faunal component in Central America.

A new genus and species of philometrid (Nematoda) from the subcutaneous tissue of the crevalle jack, Caranx hippos (Osteichthyes), from the southern Gulf of Mexico.

A new genus and species of nematode, Caranginema americanum n. gen., n. sp. (Philometridae), are described from gravid, subgravid, and nongravid female specimens collected from the subcutaneous tissue of the fish (crevalle jack) Caranx hippos (Carangidae, Perciformes) from the coral reef El Cabezo, southern Gulf of Mexico, Mexico. Caranginema, assigned to the Philometrinae, differs from other genera of this subfamily mainly in the presence of 2 conspicuous parallel cordons on either side, extending along nearly the entire body length and demarcating narrow smooth lateral fields and in having the remaining body surface with numerous ornamentations forming irregularly scattered, transversely elongated narrow cuticular molds. The new species is characterized mainly by the presence of 3 large, sclerotized esophageal teeth protruded out of the mouth, the number and arrangement of cephalic papillae (8 papillae in 4 pairs of external circle and 4 single papillae of internal circle), the length and structure of the esophagus, and by the body length of gravid and subgravid females (267 and 258 mm, respectively). Caranginema americanum is the seventh philometrid species reported from marine and brackish water fishes in Mexico.

Helmintos del pez Dormitator maculatus (Osteichthyes: Eleotridae) de Alvarado, Veracruz, México / Helminths from the fish Dormitator maculatus (Osteichthyes: Eleotridae) from Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico

Dormirator maculatus (n=184) was collected in the Alvarado Lagoon, Mexico during a year period (Oct. 1993-1994). In the helminthologic review, the presence of Clinostomum complanatum (82.3%), Neoechinorhynchus golvani (76.1%), Spiroxys sp. (21.3 %), and Camallanus sp. (6.2%) was registered. Reduction of the hematocrit caused by such infection is significant (t, a= 0.05).