Antioxidant, Antibacterial Properties of Novel Peptide CP by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Chromis notata By-Products and Its Efficacy on Atopic Dermatitis.

This study investigated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effects of a novel peptide (CP) derived from a Chromis notata by-product hydrolysate. Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase, and Protamex enzymes were used to hydrolyze the C. notata by-product protein, and the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical-scavenging activity was measured. Alcalase hydrolysate exhibited the highest ABTS radical-scavenging activity, leading to the selection of Alcalase for further purification. The CHAO-1-I fraction, with the highest ABTS activity, was isolated and further purified, resulting in the identification of the peptide CP with the amino acid sequence Ala-Gln-Val-Met-Lys-Leu-Pro-His-Arg-Met-Gln-His-Ser-Gln-Ser. CP demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, inhibiting its growth. In a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin model in mice, CP significantly alleviated skin lesions, reduced epidermal and dermal thickness, and inhibited mast cell infiltration. Moreover, CP suppressed the elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the plasma of DNCB-induced mice. These findings highlight the potential of CP as a therapeutic agent for AD and suggest a novel application of this C. notata by-product in the fish processing industry.

Dietary partitioning promotes the coexistence of planktivorous species on coral reefs.

Theories involving niche diversification to explain high levels of tropical diversity propose that species are more likely to co-occur if they partition at least one dimension of their ecological niche space. Yet, numerous species appear to have widely overlapping niches based upon broad categorizations of resource use or functional traits. In particular, the extent to which food partitioning contributes to species coexistence in hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems remains unresolved. Here, we use a molecular approach to investigate inter- and intraspecific dietary partitioning between two species of damselfish (Dascyllus flavicaudus, Chromis viridis) that commonly co-occur in branching corals. Species-level identification of their diverse zooplankton prey revealed significant differences in diet composition between species despite their seemingly similar feeding strategies. Dascyllus exhibited a more diverse diet than Chromis, whereas Chromis tended to select larger prey items. A large calanoid copepod, Labidocera sp., found in low density and higher in the water column during the day, explained more than 19% of the variation in dietary composition between Dascyllus and Chromis. Dascyllus did not significantly shift its diet in the presence of Chromis, which suggests intrinsic differences in feeding behaviour. Finally, prey composition significantly shifted during the ontogeny of both fish species. Our findings show that levels of dietary specialization among coral reef associated species have likely been underestimated, and they underscore the importance of characterizing trophic webs in tropical ecosystems at higher levels of taxonomic resolution. They also suggest that niche redundancy may not be as common as previously thought.

Noise elicits hematological stress parameters in Mediterranean damselfish (Chromis chromis, perciformes): A mesocosm study.

In the last few decades, technological developments and the widespread rise of anthropic activities have increased the exposure of organisms to noise pollution, thus evoking great interest in its biological effects, particularly on the immune system. The aim of the present work was to investigate some of the biochemical parameters in the blood of Chromis chromis (Linnaeus, 1758) following in vivo exposure to noise levels of 200 and 300 Hz. Our results revealed that, compared to the control specimens, the fish exposed to noise had significantly increased levels of stress biomarkers such as glucose, lactate and total proteins in plasma, as well as a rise in the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70).

Shoaling reduces metabolic rate in a gregarious coral reef fish species.

Many animals live in groups because of the potential benefits associated with defense and foraging. Group living may also induce a 'calming effect' on individuals, reducing overall metabolic demand. This effect could occur by minimising the need for individual vigilance and reducing stress through social buffering. However, this effect has proved difficult to quantify. We examined the effect of shoaling on metabolism and body condition in the gregarious damselfish Chromis viridis Using a novel respirometry methodology for social species, we found that the presence of shoal-mate visual and olfactory cues led to a reduction in the minimum metabolic rate of individuals. Fish held in isolation for 1 week also exhibited a reduction in body condition when compared with those held in shoals. These results indicate that social isolation as a result of environmental disturbance could have physiological consequences for gregarious species.

The ART of mating: alternative reproductive tactics and mating success in a nest-guarding fish.

Behavioural observations in the field of male Mediterranean damselfish Chromis chromis were combined with molecular analyses, using bi-parentally and maternally inherited markers, to investigate reproductive success patterns of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in terms of number of eggs sired and number of females contributing to each nest. Cuckoldry was observed in every nest sampled, with at least two and up to seven sneaker males per nest. The nesting male, however, always significantly fertilized the greater number of eggs (on average 49%) in each clutch, whereas each sneaker fertilized around 7% of the clutch. The average number of females whose eggs were fertilized by nesting males was 6·76 (range 2-13), while each sneaker on average fertilized the eggs of 1·74 (range 1-8) females. Using this sibship reconstruction, some of the factors involved in the regulation of the dynamic equilibrium of reproductive success were investigated between the two ARTs shown by C. chromis males. Results show that the sneakers' reproductive success was positively linked to egg clutch size; the density of individuals in the nesting area negatively affected the size of egg clutches; the rate of defence behaviours performed by nesting males negatively influenced the number of females contributing to each nest.

When endemic coral-reef fish species serve as models: endemic mimicry patterns in the Marquesas Islands.

This article documents several cases of widespread species, which usually mimic other widespread species throughout the Indo-Pacific, using endemic Marquesan species as a model and displaying endemic mimicry patterns. This discovery adds a new line of evidence to the uniqueness of the Marquesas Islands, which not only host a high number of endemic reef-fish species, but also endemic mimicry patterns.

Impact of water temperature on oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in pearl-spot chromis, Chromis notata (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843).

Water temperature is an abiotic factor influencing fish metabolism and physiological responses. As poikilothermic creatures, fish are notable sensitivity to fluctuations in water temperature, which also significantly influences intestinal microbial proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of both low (8 °C) and high (28 °C) water temperatures on oxidative stress and the intestinal microbiota of Chromis notata, a species that has recently migrated northward owing to changes in sea water temperature. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lysozyme activities, as well as changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, specifically SOD and CAT, in C. notata exposed to low and high temperatures, showed an increase compared to the control group (maintained at 18 °C). Moreover, liver H2O2 levels exhibited a significant increase over time. Conversely, plasma lysozyme activity significantly decreased in groups subjected to low and high water temperatures compared to the control group. Analyzing changes in the intestinal microbiota, we observed an increase in the proportion of Firmicutes but a decrease in Proteobacteria, which are known for their role in immune enhancement, in C. notata exposed to both low and high water temperatures. We propose that alterations in water temperature impact the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. notata, leading to compromised immune responses and disruption of the biological balance of the intestinal microbiota, potentially affecting the host's survival.

Clinical characteristics of an esophageal fish bone foreign body from Chromis notata.

Damselfish Chromis notata is a small fish less than 15 cm long and it is widespread in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Of all the cases of fish bone foreign body (FBFB) disease at our hospital, a damselfish FBFB was very common, and a specific part of the bone complex was involved in the majority of cases. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of damselfish FBFB in Jeju Island. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from March 2004 to March 2011 for foreign body diseases. Among 126 cases of foreign body diseases, there were 77 (61.1%) cases of FBFB. The mean age ± standard deviation was 57.8 ± 12.7 yr, and this was higher in females 60.9 ± 14.6 yr vs 54.1 ± 8.7 yr. Damselfish was the most common origin of a FBFB 36 out of total 77 cases. The anal fin spine-pterygiophore complex of damselfish was most commonly involved and cause more severe clinical features than other fish bone foreign bodies; deep 2.7 ± 0.8 cm vs 2.3 ± 0.8 cm; P < 0.01, more common mural penetration 23/36 vs 10/41; P < 0.01, and longer hospital stay 12.6 ± 20.0 days 4.7 ± 4.8 days; P = 0.02. We recommend removing the anal fin spine-pterygiophore complex during cleaning the damselfish before cooking.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing and preliminary phylogenetic analysis of Chromis notata.

Chromis notata (Temminck and Schlegel, 1843), commonly known as the pearl-spot chromis, is a damselfish that inhabits the northwestern region of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. Interestingly, C. notata has been found to have morphological variations depending on the geographical area of collection. However, because there are insufficient molecular studies on C. notata, in this study, we determined its complete mitochondrial genome using PCR and phylogenetic analyses. The mitochondrial genome of C. notata was found to be 16,600 bp long, which consisted of 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 1 control region (D-loop). The base composition was 27.6% A, 24.8% T, 31.0% C, and 16.6% G. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed with the neighbor-joining method depicted a clone relationship with seven species of family Pomacentridae and our previous study based on CO1 gene sequences. The complete mitochondrial genome is a valuable resource in classifying and conserving C. notata.

An examination of introgression and incomplete lineage sorting among three closely related species of chocolate-dipped damselfish (genus: Chromis).

AIM: To determine the impact of ecological and environmental histories on the evolution of coral reef damselfishes at two adjacent marine biogeographic suture zones. LOCATION: Indo-West Pacific, notably including two suture zones: Socotra and Christmas and Cocos/Keeling Islands. TAXON: Chromis dimidiata, Chromis margaritifer, and Chromis fieldi. METHODS: We utilized a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers in addition to visual abundance survey data of these fishes. RESULTS: Despite genetic patterns consistent with incomplete lineage sorting and relatively low genetic differentiation among the three studied Chromis species, there is evidence of hybridization between C. margaritifer and C. fieldi at Christmas Island based on molecular and visual identification. Introgression appears to be spreading westwards to other C. fieldi populations based on COI haplotype comparison. Moreover, the genetic distance between C. margaritifer and C. fieldi suggests that Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations may have contributed to allopatric divergence and secondary contact between these two closely related species. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that evolutionary processes in coral reef fishes operate differently between suture zones, possibly due to different ecological and environmental predispositions regulating secondary contact of sister species. While secondary contact likely led to hybridization and introgression at Christmas and Cocos/Keeling Islands, none of those processes seem present at Socotra for the chocolate-dipped damselfish. This difference is likely due to an environmental barrier caused by hydrodynamic regimes in the Gulf of Aden.

Effects of Photoperiod Manipulation on Gonadal Activity of the Damselfish, Chromis notata.

This study investigated the effect of different photoperiods (14L: 10D, 12L:12D and 10L:14D) on the gonadal development and GtH mRNA expression in the pituitary of damselfish. The results showed that gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly lower in shot photoperiod (10L:14D), in comparison with other photoperiodic group during the spawning season. After 60 days treatment, histological analysis of gonad tissue showed that the gonad of 10L:14D and 12L: 12D treatment groups were resting phase with spermatogonia and perinucleolus stage oocytes but the gonad of 14L:10D treatment group was still ripe phase with spermatozoa and mature stage oocyte. The FSHß and LHß mRNA expression in pituitary drastically decreased shot photoperiod treatment from July (spawning period). These results suggest that photoperiod is considered to be the most effective environmental factor in controlling the reproductive cycle of damselfish.

Molecular assessment of three species of Anilocra (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) ectoparasites from Caribbean coral reef fishes, with the description of Anilocra brillae sp. n.

A morphological review and molecular characterization of Anilocra haemuli Bunkley Williams & Williams, 1981, were completed using specimens collected from Haemulon flavolineatum Desmarest, 1823 (French grunt) and Epinephelus guttatus Linnaeus, 1758 (red hind). Molecular and morphological data suggest that the isopods parasitizing H. flavolineatum and E. guttatus are different species. The specimens collected from E. guttatus are recognized as a new species, Anilocra brillaesp. n. Differences between Anilocra brillaesp. n. and A. haemuli include but are not limited to the pleonites 1-3 of A. brillaesp. n. being wider than 4-5 and 4-5 subequal, whereas the pleonites 1-2 of A. haemuli are wider than 3-5, and 3-5 are subequal. The seventh pereopod of A. brillaesp. n. is proportionally larger, has more robust setae, and the setae are distributed more extensively over the articles when compared to A. haemuli. Additionally, this study provides the first genetic characterization of three Anilocra spp. from the Caribbean, and is based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit gene (COI) for A. haemuli from H. flavolineatum, A. brillaesp. n. from E. guttatus, and A. chromis Bunkley Williams & Williams, 1981 from Chromis multilineata Guichenot, 1853.

New and previously described dactylogyrid species (Monogenoidea: Polyonchoinea) and a gastrocotylinean pre-adult (Heteronchoinea) from pomacentrid and caesionid (Perciformes) fishes from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

During a parasitological survey of perciform fishes from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, we found the following gill monogenoidean species (Platyhelminthes): Euryhaliotrema lizardi n. sp. on Caesio caerulaurea Lacepède, 1801 (Caesionidae) (type host) and Haliotrema weberii n. sp. on Chromis weberi Fowler and Bean, 1928 (Pomacentridae) (type host), Chromis amboinensis (Bleeker, 1871), Chromis atripectoralis Welander and Schultz, 1951 and Caesio teres Seale, 1906. Euryhaliotrema lizardi n. sp. is characterized by having anchors with an elongated straight shaft and point as well as a vaginal canal with two loops before connecting to the seminal receptacle. Ha. weberii n. sp. is distinguished from other congeners by possessing a tubular male copulatory organ (MCO), partially straight. Two previously described dactylogyrids were also found: Haliotrematoides caesionis (Yamaguti, 1953) Kritsky, Yang and Sun 2009) on Caesio cuning (Bloch, 1791) and Ca. teres (new host record) and Haliotrematoides patellacirrus (Bychowsky and Nagibina, 1971) Kritsky, Yang and Sun 2009, on Ca. cuning (new host record). Finally, we provide the first report of a gastrocotylinean pre-adult on Ca. teres. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the new species and the gastrocotylinean pre-adult and include supplemental observations of Ht. caesionis and Ht. patellacirrus. The present findings expand the known spectrum of host species of Euryhaliotrema, Haliotrema and Haliotrematoides to include new caesionid and pomacentrid fishes.

The Chromis Experience: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Participants' Experiences of the Chromis Programme.

This study examined male prisoners' experiences of participating in the Chromis programme, which aims to address violent behaviour in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits. Four men who had completed Chromis and moved to new locations were purposefully sampled. This provided the opportunity for men to discuss their experiences after participating in the full programme and away from any influences of the treatment environment. Interview schedules were designed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview transcripts were analysed independently by two researchers using IPA who then compared and contrasted findings to develop superordinate themes across the group. Four superordinate themes resulted. These were "It's me and what I want that matters," Reaping the rewards, "It's treatment itself that makes things hard," and Make or break external influences. Across the board, participants benefited at some level from Chromis. Participants' experiences highlighted useful information that can inform practice with individuals with high levels of psychopathy. The clinical implications are discussed.

Assessment of the effects of cage fish-farming on damselfish-associated food chains using stable-isotope analyses.

To assess the effect of cage fish-farming on the coral reef ecosystem off Xiaoliuchiu Island, southern Taiwan, geographical differences in the food chain of each of two damselfishes, Pomacentrus vaiuli and Chromis margaritifer, were examined using a stable-isotope approach. For each damselfish, individuals were found to consume similar foods at all sites. However, specimens collected at sites near the cage farm (as the experimental sites) exhibited lower δ(13)C and higher δ(15)N signatures compared to those from reference sites. Similar trends also occurred in the zooplankton and detritus, two major food sources for both damselfishes. This finding indicates that particulate organic matter released by the farm may have entered the coral reef ecosystem through the pelagic food chain. Artificial reef emplacement is recommended to provide extra habitats under cage farms to support additional pelagic-feeding fish populations, thereby reducing environmental impacts of cage farming on coral reefs.

Potencial económico de la captura de peces de ornato bajo protección federal en México / Economic potential of ornamental fish catching under federal protection in Mexico

ResumenLa pesca de ornamento es una actividad económicamente viable en países en desarrollo debido a que el acuarismo se ha convertido en un pasatiempo mundial. En México la pesca se ha dado desde los 80´s, especialmente en la Península de Baja California, pero no se tiene registro adecuado de la producción comercial, ni de la ganancia económica que se obtiene de la explotación del recurso. El objetivo de este estudio fue calcular el nivel máximo de captura permisible de las cinco especies de peces de ornato incluidas en la NOM-059-SEMARNAT 2010 (protegidas por mandato federal), y la ganancia neta que el recurso podría generar. Se realizaron censos (N= 1 610) en 21 localidades arrecifales del Pacifico mexicano y el Golfo de California, para estimar las densidades poblacionales de cada taxón; también se calculó su tasa de mortalidad natural (M) a partir de la talla máxima (L∞), constante de crecimiento (k) y la temperatura (C), y la captura máxima permisible a partir de M. Finalmente, con los precios que se pagan en playa a los pescadores se hizo una estimación del valor económico que posee cada localidad en una temporada de pesca dada, y dentro de una superficie de 220 hectáreas (representativa del tamaño promedio de la zona de captura asignada a una cooperativa en México). Los resultados indicaron que las localidades en las que la pesca de ornato tiene un mejor potencial económico son las Islas Encantadas, Bahía de los Ángeles y el Archipiélago San Lorenzo (todas en el estado de Baja California). Fuera del golfo (donde no hay pesca legal de ornato actualmente), la mayor rentabilidad potencial la presentan Islas Marietas (Jalisco), y las Islas Revillagigedo. La pesca de ornato puede ser una actividad viable en varias de las zonas analizadas del país, sin embargo, los montos potenciales que la captura representa no son suficientes como para sostener un grupo organizado que la practique; por ello, la pesca de ornato debe verse como una actividad comercial alternativa. Finalmente, para que ésta sea una pesquería rentable y sostenible, se recomienda hacer uso de regulaciones federales ya en existentes, que ayuden a controlar cuotas de captura.

Abstract:Ornamental fisheries are economically viable activities in developing countries due to the fact that aquaria have become a worldwide hobby. In Mexico, the fishery has been conducted since the 1980s, especially in the Baja California Peninsula, but nevertheless, there are no adequate records of commercial production, or about the economic gain due to the exploitation of the resource. The objective of this paper was to calculate the maximum allowable catch for the five ornamental fishes included in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT (protected by federal mandate), and the net monetary gain that the resource might generate. Censuses (N=1 610) were conducted in 21 reef sites of the Mexican Pacific and Gulf of California in order to estimate population density of each taxon; also, natural mortality rate (M) was calculated from maximum size (L∞), individual growth rate (k) and temperature (C), and the total allowable catch was estimated on the basis of M. Finally, considering the prices of the species paid to fishermen at the beach, an estimation of the economic value of a single fishing season for an area of 220 hectares (representative of the catch area assigned in average to a cooperative in Mexico) was produced. The results indicated that the areas with the best economic potential were Encantadas Islands, Los Angeles Bay, and San Lorenzo Archipelago (all in the state of Baja California). Outside of the gulf (where no legal ornamental fisheries exist) the potentially more rentable locations were Marietas Islands (Jalisco), and the Revillagigedo Islands. Aquarium fisheries may be a viable activity in several of the analyzed areas of the country, however, the potential gain that harvest represents is not enough to fully sustain an organized group that would perform it; for that reason the ornamental fishery should be seen as an alternative commercial activity. Finally, to guarantee this activity to be a rentable and sustainable fishery, we recommended that, the existing rules defined by the Mexican federal government should be applied to control the catch quotas. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 195-210. Epub 2017 March 01.

First report of scuticociliatosis caused by Uronema sp. in ornamental reef fish imported into Brazil / Primeiro relato de scuticociliatose causada por Uronema sp. em peixes ornamentais de recife importados para o Brasil

Abstract Scuticociliatosis, which is caused by an opportunistic ciliate protozoan, is responsible for significant economic losses in marine ornamental fish. This study reports the occurrence of Uronema sp., which was found to be parasitizing three species of marine reef fish imported into Brazil and maintained in quarantine: Vanderbilt's Chromis (Chromis vanderbilti), blue-green damselfish (Chromis viridis), and sea goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis). During the quarantine period, some fish presented with behavioral disorders and hemorrhages and ulcerative lesions on the body surface. Histopathological analysis showed hemorrhages, inflammation comprising mononuclear and granular cells in the skeletal muscle, and necrosis of the skin and the secondary lamellae of the gills, and parasites were also observed in the renal capsule. The absence of transboundary measures available to prevent the occurrence of ornamental fish diseases is also discussed.

Resumo Scuticociliatose, causada por protozoários ciliados oportunistas, é responsável por perdas econômicas significativas em peixes ornamentais marinhos. O presente estudo relata a ocorrência de Uronema sp., parasitando três espécies de peixes ornamentais de recife importados para o Brasil e mantidos em quarentena: Vanderbilt's Chromis (Chromis vanderbilti), blue-green damselfish (Chromis viridis), e sea goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis). Durante o período de quarentena, alguns peixes apresentaram alterações comportamentais tais com hemorragias e lesões ulcerativas na superfície da pele. A histopatologia mostrou hemorragias, inflamação com células mononucleares e granulares na musculatura, e necrose da pele e lamelas secundárias das brânquias, e parasitas também foram observados na cápsula renal. A ausência de medidas transfronteiriças disponíveis para prevenir a ocorrência de doenças de peixes ornamentais também é discutida.

Subtle genetic structure reveals restricted connectivity among populations of a coral reef fish inhabiting remote atolls.

We utilized a spatial and temporal analyses of genetic structure, supplemented with ecological and oceanographic analysis, to assess patterns of population connectivity in a coral reef fish Chromis margaritifer among the unique and remote atolls in the eastern Indian Ocean. A subtle, but significant genetic discontinuity at 10 microsatellite DNA loci was detected between atoll systems corresponding with a low (≤ 1%) probability of advection across the hundreds of kilometers of open ocean that separates them. Thus, although genetic connections between systems are likely maintained by occasional long-distance dispersal of C. margaritifer larvae, ecological population connectivity at this spatial scale appears to be restricted. Further, within one of these atoll systems, significant spatial differentiation among samples was accompanied by a lack of temporal pairwise differentiation between recruit and adult samples, indicating that restrictions to connectivity also occur at a local scale (tens of kilometers). In contrast, a signal of panmixia was detected at the other atoll system studied. Lastly, greater relatedness and reduced genetic diversity within recruit samples was associated with relatively large differences among them, indicating the presence of sweepstakes reproduction whereby a small proportion of adults contributes to recruitment in the next generation. These results are congruent with earlier work on hard corals, suggesting that local production of larvae drives population replenishment in these atoll systems for a range of coral reef species.

Variaciones de la infracomunidad parásita durante la ontogenia de Chromis cyanea(Perciformes: Pomacentridae) en la costa norte de La Habana, Cuba / Variations of the parasitic infracommunity during the ontogeny of Chromis cyanea (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) in the North coast of Havana, Cuba

Chromis cyaneaes una de las especies marinas más comunes y abundantes de los arrecifes cubanos. En este estudio se cuantifica la infracomunidad de parásitos durante el desarrollo ontogenético de Chromis cyanea(Pisces: Pomacentridae) de la costa norte de La Habana, Cuba. Los objetivos son probar que las especies núcleo son responsables de la estructura en la infracomunidad y aparecen antes que las especies raras y estocásticas. Determinar si existe relación entre los descriptores ecológicos de la infraco-munidad parásita con la longitud total. Se capturaron 278 ejemplares de C. cyaneadurante la estación de seca (Abril) del 2010. Se analizó un rango de tallas de 1.5 a 11.5 cm de largo total y se incluyeron ejemplares juveniles y adultos. Se recolectaron 2 861 especímenes parásitos pertenecientes a 20 taxa: Crustacea (5), Nematoda (5), Trematoda (4), Cestoda (2), Monogenea (2), Turbellaria (1) y Ciliophora (1). Los taxa Tetraphyllidea y Anilocra chromisconstituyen el núcleo de la infracomunidad parásita. La secuencia de aparición y la persistencia de estos taxa durante el desarrollo ontogenético apoyan la hipótesis de las especies núcleo. Los cambios en la infracomunidad, a partir de la talla de 6 cm, podrían ser el resultado de un efecto acumulativo unido a cambios en la dieta que provocan la ingestión de nuevos estadíos infectivos. Se concluye que el desarrollo ontogenético de C. cyaneaconstituye una variable importante en la formación de la infracomunidad parásita.

The infracommunity of parasites of Chromis cyanea(Pisces: Pomacentridae) was studied along the ontogenetic development in the North coast of Havana, Cuba. The objectives were: a- to prove that the core species appears before the strange and stochastic species and they are responsible for the structure in the infracommunity, b- to determine if there is a relationship among the ecological describers of the parasitic infracommunity with the total length. A total of 278 specimens of C. cyaneawere captured during the dry season (April) of 2010. The body size range was from 1.5 to 11.5 cm including juvenile and adults. We collected 2 861 parasite specimens belonging to 20 taxa: Crustacea (5), Nematoda (5), Trematoda (4), Cestoda (2), Monogenea (2), Turbellaria (1) and Ciliophora (1). The taxa Tetraphyllidea and Anilocra chromisconstituted the core of the parasitic infracommunity. The sequence of appearance and persistence of these taxa during the ontogenetic development, supported the hypothesis of the core species. The changes in the infracommunity, from 6 cm body size, could be the result of an accumulative effect combined with changes of the diet that caused the ingestion of new parasite infective stages. We concluded that the ontogenetic development of C. cyaneaconstitutes an important variable in the formation of the parasitic infracommunity.