Parasites of the flatfish Paralichthys adspersus (Steindachner, 1867) (Pleuronectiformes) from northern Chile

Abstract

Three species of protistan and 22 species of metazoan parasites were obtained from a sample of 179 flatfish, (Paralichthys adspersus) taken-off Antofagasta, northern Chile. Prevalence of infection of seven parasites (Protista: 1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 1, Acantocephala: 1, Nematoda: 2) was significantly and positively correlated with host size. Host's sex do not seem to affect prevalence of infection, except for Nybelinia surmenicola, Capillaria sp. and Anisakis sp. (prevalence of infection significantly greater in males than females) and Philometra sp. (prevalence higher in females). Mean abundance is correlated with size in nine species (Protista: 1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 3, Acantocephala: 1, Nematoda: 2). Host's sex do not affect mean abundance, except for Cainocreadium sp. and Philometra sp.(mean abundance higher in females) and Nybelinia surmenicola, Capillaria sp. and Anisakis sp. (mean abundance higher in males)

Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from Northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex

“…The species richness in H. macrops is lower when compared with other species of flatfish from the Northern Hemisphere (Table II), mainly due to the almost complete absence of digeneans and the scarcity of cestode and nematode species in H. macrops. The lower species richness in H. macrops has also been observed in other species of fish from the northern Chilean coast (Oliva et al 1996, González & Acuña 1998, Oliva 1999.…”

“…Even though P. adspersus has a greater species richness only two species, the digenean Cainocreadium sp. and the larval acanthocephalan, C. australe with prevalences of 54% and 56% respectively predominate (Oliva et al 1996).…”

“…The parasite fauna of the flatfish Paralichthys adspersus from northern Chile (23ºS) shows higher species richness, 22 parasite species (Oliva et al 1996). Six of these are shared with H. macrops (E. hippoglossi, N. surmenicola, S. pleuronectis, C. australe, and Anisakis sp.).…”

Philometra chilensis (Nematoda, Philometridae) affects the fecundity of the red cusk-eel, Genypterus chilensis (Guichenot) (Pisces, Ophidiidae) in Chile

“…infections of the gonads of Chilean marine fish have been reported: In the Peruvian sea bass, Paralabrax humeralis (Valenciennes) (Serranidae), a close association was found between fish size at first maturity and infection, where only fish larger than those at the first maturity (males and females) were found to be infected (Oliva et al 1992). In the fine flounder, Paralichthys adspersus (Steindachner) (Paralichthyidae), both males and females were infected; a relationship between host size and prevalence and mean intensity of infection was not evident, but the values of prevalence and mean intensity were higher in females than in males (Oliva et al 1996).…”

Metazoan parasites of the jack mackerelTrachurus murphyi(Teleostei, Carangidae) in a latitudinal gradient from South America (Chile and Peru)

“…A characteristic of marine fishes from Chile and Perú is the sparse of their parasite fauna (metazoa), when compared with related fishes from different geographical areas; this phenomena has been documented for the flatfish Paralichthys adpersus by Oliva et al (1996), the rock fish Sebastes capensis by Gonzalez & Acuña (1998) Luque (1998). In the main, differences are related to trophically transmitted parasites, specifically digeneans.…”