This study investigated the metazoan parasite fauna in Peckoltia braueri and Pterygoplichthys pardalis from a tributary of the Amazon River system, in northern Brazil. In P. braueri, 630 parasites were collected, belonging to Unilatus unilatus, Nothogyrodactylus sp., Genarchella genarchella, Proteocephalus sp., Gorytocephalus elongorchis, Dolops longicauda and Hirudinea gen. sp., with a dominance of monogenean species. In P. pardalis, 120 parasites were collected, belonging to U. unilatus, Acanthostomum gnerii and Gorytocephalus elongorchis, and this acanthocephalan was the dominant species. In both hosts, the parasites presented clumped distribution, high prevalence, low abundance, low Shannon diversity, and low species richness, with a predominance of helminth species. In P. braueri, host length was positively correlated with parasite species richness and Shannon index. There was no difference in the body condition of parasitized and non-parasitized fishes in either host. This was the first report of these parasites in P. braueri and P. pardalis. KEYWORDS: Digenea, diversity, helminths, parasites, freshwater fishes. Fauna de metazoários parasitando Peckoltia braueri e Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Loricariidae), bagres do nordeste da Amazônia brasileira RESUMOEste estudo investigou a fauna de parasitos metazoários em Peckoltia braueri e Pterygoplichthys pardalis de um tributário do sistema do Rio Amazonas, no Amapá, norte do Brasil. Em P. braueri foram coletados 630 parasitos das espécies Unilatus unilatus, Nothogyrodactylus sp., Genarchella genarchella, Proteocephalus sp., Gorytocephalus elongorchis, Dolops longicauda e Hirudinea gen. sp., com dominância das espécies de monogenoideas. Em P. pardalis foram coletados 120 parasitos das espécies U. unilatus, Acanthostomum gnerii e Gorytocephalus elongorchis, sendo este acantocéfalo a espécie dominante. Os parasitos em ambos hospedeiros apresentaram dispersão agregada, elevada prevalência, baixa abundância, baixa diversidade de Shannon e baixa riqueza de espécies, com predominância de espécies de helmintos. Em P. braueri, o comprimento dos hospedeiros apresentou correlação positiva com a riqueza de espécies de parasitos e o índice de Shannon. Não houve diferença entre a condição corporal de peixes parasitados e não parasitados para os dois hospedeiros. Este foi o primeiro relato desses parasitos para P. braueri e P. pardalis.

This study examined the in vitro and in vivo, histopathological, anti-parasitic and hematopathological effects of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides on Colossoma macropomum. Essential oil concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg•L −1 were tested in vitro against monogenoideans (Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis and Mymarothecium boegeri) from the gills of C. macropomum. Concentrations of 320 and 160 mg•L −1 were 100% effective against these parasites within 20 and 60 min of exposure, respectively. The 80 mg•L −1 concentration was approximately 80% effective with 3 h of exposure, reaching 100% with 6 h of exposure. The 40 mg•L −1 concentration was also 100% effective with 6 h of exposure. The other concentrations were only weakly effective in vitro. Parasite mortality in controls (water or water + alcohol) began after 3 h, with 100% mortality after 8 h. In vivo tests, in which fry of C. macropomum were placed in baths with 20 mg•L −1 of the essential oil for 60 min, and 40 mg•L −1 for 30 min, did not lead to reductions in parasite abundances. In addition, the essential oil had an anaesthetic effect on fish, increased total protein levels, increased monocyte and neutrophil numbers, and reduced haematocrit. Slight to moderate and severe damage was observed in the gills of C. macropomum fingerling immediately after exposure to the essential oil, and 24 h after the treatments were applied, with no difference between treatments. Histological changes observed in the gills after exposure to concentrations of 20 and 40 mg•L −1 of L. origanoides essential oil were: hyperplasia and fusion of the lamellar epithelium, capillary dilation, displacement of the lamellar epithelium, and lamellar aneurism and epithelial rupturing with haemorrhaging. Oedema, mucous and chloride cell proliferation, lamellar hypertrophy, congestion and necrosis were less frequently observed. It can be concluded that the essential oil of L. origanoides was dose-dependent in vitro effect against monogenoidean parasites of C. macropomum. Unfortunately, the low concentrations tolerated by the fish in the vivo assay (20 and 40 mg•L −1) was not effective. Statement of relevance: The manuscript represents original research on use of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides against ectoparasites of Colossoma macropomum, an important finfish of Amazon region. This manuscript includes treatment in vitro against monogenoideans, and in vivo against protozoans and monogenoideans. Besides, histopathological and hematological analysis of the fish exposed to different concentrations of L. origanoides, a medical plant from North, Central and South America, were performed.

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