Diversity of parasites inCichlasoma amazonarumKullander, 1983 during rainy and dry seasons in eastern Amazon (Brazil)

Abstract

Summary This study investigated the influence of the rainy and dry seasons on the parasite communities of Cichlasoma amazonarum (Kullander, 1983) in a tributary of the Amazon River system, northern Brazil. Of 112 fish examined, 95.5% were parasitized by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Piscinoodinium pillulare, Gussevia disparoides, Posthodiplostomum sp., Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, and Echinorhynchus paranensis, as well as by the Glossiphoniidae leech. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and P. pillulare were the dominant parasite species, with I. multifiliis the most prevalent and abundant; the leech (Glossiphoniidae) was the least prevalent and least abundant. Parasites presented an aggregate dispersion pattern and seasonal variations in infestation levels, influenced by the environmental conditions in the rainy season. Variation in the parasite dynamics created overall changes in the parasite communities, characterized by greater diversity, species richness and evenness during the rainy season. However, there was a high similarity (99.8%) in the parasite community structure between the rainy and dry seasons. During the dry season the hosts had predominantly 1–3 parasite species compared to 3–4 parasites in the rainy season. Some parasites in the eastern Amazon undergo population changes relating to seasonality. These results thus indicate the correct season to apply adequate prophylactic measures to reduce negative impacts of parasites in this wild ornamental fish when captured.

Community structure of metazoan parasites from Pimelodus blochii in two rivers of the Western Brazilian Amazon: same seasonal traits, but different anthropogenic impacts

“…Based on the present results, the seasonal influence on the component community structure of parasites was less intense than expected, contrasting with similar approaches in the Amazon (Neves et al 2013;Tavares-Dias et al 2014;Carvalho and Tavares-Dias 2017). Therefore, it should be highlighted that River Acre and Iaco, both tributaries of River Purus, have their headwaters in Peru, at the base of the Andes mountain range, resulting in different hydrological and fluvial level fluctuations when compared with those from most of the other rivers in the Brazilian Amazon (Bardales et al 2010;Wadt et al 2010).…”

“…Therefore, it should be highlighted that River Acre and Iaco, both tributaries of River Purus, have their headwaters in Peru, at the base of the Andes mountain range, resulting in different hydrological and fluvial level fluctuations when compared with those from most of the other rivers in the Brazilian Amazon (Bardales et al 2010;Wadt et al 2010). Most likely, this resulted in the less intense seasonal influence observed here, compared with studies in other Amazonian sub basins (see Neves et al 2013;Tavares-Dias et al 2014;Carvalho and Tavares-Dias 2017).…”

“…The Amazon has a well-defined seasonality, which is based on periods of intense rainfall followed by those of drought, and these characteristics are known to commonly influence the structure of parasite communities in the biome (Neves et al 2013;Tavares-Dias et al 2014;Carvalho and Tavares-Dias 2017). However, the present results showed some different and interesting patterns rather than the expected regarding the River Acre, where variations in the parasite community were very slight.…”

“…The parasite community structures of fishes in Amazon have been largely reported oscillating according to seasonal changes, which is annually based on two well-defined periods of rain and drought (Neves et al 2013;Tavares-Dias et al 2014;Carvalho and Tavares-Dias 2017). This marked seasonality causes drastic changes in the landscape and is expected to influence all the associated organic and inorganic environmental conditions.…”

Multiparasitism in gills of Metynnis lippincottianus from the environmental protection area of Curiaú river, Eastern Amazon

“…The dinoflagellata Piscinoodinium pillulare was found in the gills of 44% of the analyzed M. lippincottianus specimens, which was lower than the prevalence reported by FLORINDO et al (2017) in ornamental fish from Santa Catarina, which was 75% in all fish. This same parasite was reported in Cichlasoma amazonarum and in Hemibrycon surinamensis of the Igarapé of Fortaleza basin, Macapá, with a prevalence of 49% and 17.2%, respectively (CARVALHO et al, 2017;HOSHINO et al 2014;HOSHINO et al, 2014). Piscinoodinium pillulare is common in cold season of the year and is responsible for outbreaks in aquaculture, which may cause discomfort and asphyxia in hosts, as described by SANT'ANA et al (2012).…”