Haematological characteristics associated with parasitism in mullets, Mugil platanus Günther, from the estuarine region of Cananéia, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study involved 344 Mullets, Mugil plalanus Günther, 1880, captured in lhe estuarine region of Cananeia, São Paulo, Brazil (25°00'S, 47°55'W). The following data were recorded for each fish: total weight, total length, haemoglobin ratio (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), erythrocyte count (Er), differential leucocyte count (Iymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils and "other cells") and haematometric indices; MCV, MCH, and MCHC. The sex and stage of gonadal maturity (undifferentiated, juvenile, resting, maturing, mature, and spent) were determined by macroscopical inspection of the gonads. Parasitological inspections revealed the following infestations: Gills -Trichodinidae, Monogenea, Copepoda, and Hirudinea. Liver: cysts ofDigenea. Intestine: Nematoda, Digenea and Acanthocephala. Blood: Trypanosoma sp. and Haemogregarina sp. Analysis of variance was done to evaluate how far blood and gill parasitism had any effect on total length, total weight, the biological condition factor or the measured blood parameters. Significant differences were found for the haematocrit (infested versus noninfested by Trichodinidae) and tor MCHC (infested versus noninfested by Trichodinidae and Copepoda). No differences were found with regard to leucocytes. KEY WORDS . Mugi! plalanus, hematology, parasitism, mullet, estuarine region The simplicity of determining certain blood parameters is probably responsible for the rise in the use of haematology as a tool for testing of health problems in fish, even those not usually directly associated with the blood. Pathological conditions in fish are manifested in the form of changes in the behavior (symptoms) and/or in the integrity of the tissues (Iesions), leading to a decrease in weight gain and often, death (ROBERTS 1981).

Co-infestation of gills by different parasite groups in the mullet, Mugil platanus Günther, 1880 (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae): effects on relative condition factor

“…Mullet health in Cananéia was not affected by hirudinean parasitism. This was also verified by Ranzani-Paiva et al (1997) based on hematological parameters. The pathogenicity of monogenoideans varies according to species, infestation intensity, and attachment site.…”

“…Specimens of mullet, Mugil platanus, from Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil, have been previously studied by Ranzani-Paiva & Ishikawa (1996) and Ranzani-Paiva et al (1997). Using the allometric condition factor (K) these authors did not detect any effect of parasitism on state of mullet health.…”

Hematological parameters of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) parasitized by Monogenea in lagoons in Pirassununga, Brazil

“…This is most likely due to the equilibrium between host and parasite. However, this equilibrium can be modified by any change in water quality and/or by rapid temperature fluctuations (PAIVA et al, 1997). The results of the present study were similar to those reported by Paiva et al (1997) for Mugil platanus parasitized by Monogenea.…”

“…However, this equilibrium can be modified by any change in water quality and/or by rapid temperature fluctuations (PAIVA et al, 1997). The results of the present study were similar to those reported by Paiva et al (1997) for Mugil platanus parasitized by Monogenea. On the other hand, Rio-Zaragoza et al (2010) did not find a hematological response in Lutjanus guttatus, Steindachner (1869) experimentally infected with Dactylogyridae, which showed an elevated number of erythrocytes and thrombocytes.…”

“…Hematological alterations in fish cultivated in Brazil have been characterized in Cyprinus carpio (PAIVA et al, 1997) and Piaractus mesopotamicus (TAVARES-DIAS et al, 1999a) infested by Argulus sp., in Mugil platanus infected by Trypanosoma sp., Haemogregarina, Trichodina, Monogenea, Copepods and Hirudinea (PAIVA et al, 1997); in Piaractus mesopotamicus and Leporinus macrocephalus infected by Monogenea, in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina sp., Piscinoodinium pillulare and Lernaea cyprinacea (TAVARES-DIAS et al, 1999b), in Oreochromis niloticus infected by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis , and in Hoplias malabaricus infected by L3 larvae of Contracaecum sp. (CORRÊA et al, 2013).…”