Microcotylidae (Monogena) parasites of snappers (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) collected from the northeast coast of Brazil.

ABSTRACT

Monogeneans are a diverse group of flatworms, being ectoparasites of marine and freshwater fish, with great morphological and ecological variety. Analyzes of monogenetics in fish with great habitat diversity such as snappers are scarce in the literature, which already emphasizes the need for an update in this regard. The presente study found, morphologically characterized and mapped the geographic distribution and in known hosts the species Microcotyloides incisa and Microcotyloides impudicus, describing the first occurrence of these monogeneans for South America and in new hosts. The survey of hosts in the literature shows that M. incisa seems to have a greater Affinity with congener species of Lutjanidae and fish from other families, which may indicate a preference or specificity for fish of this family because they are congeners of their host type. The introduction of these parasites into South American waters may have occurred due to the migratory behavior of snappers, which are well distributed along the Mexican coast, where the parasites are usually reported. Here, we also bring the first occurrence of M. incisa for Lutjanus analis and Lutjanus jocu and M. impudicus for Ocyurus chrysurus and Lutjanus synagris, helping in the mapping and distribution of these monogenetic species in the Americas.