Unoculubranchiobdella sp. (Hirudinea: Ozobranchidae) as a vector for Haemogregarina spp. in freshwater turtles from Brazil.

Species of Haemogregarina are blood parasites known to parasitise vertebrate hosts, including fishes (Haemogregarina sensu lato) and freshwater turtles (Haemogregarina sensu stricto). Their vectors, include gnathiid isopods and leeches, respectively. In turtles, Haemogregarina balli has the best-characterized life cycle in the genus. However, no studies in Brazil have suggested a possible vector for any species of Haemogregarina from freshwater turtles. Therefore, in the present study, we provide insights into a leech vector based on specimens found feeding on two species of freshwater turtles, Podocnemis unifilis and Podocnemis expansa, using morphological and molecular data. In 2017 and 2019, freshwater turtles were collected in Goiás State, Brazil. Hosts were inspected for ectoparasites and leeches were collected from two specimens of P. expansa and nine specimens of P. unifilis. Leeches were subsequently identified as members of the genus Unoculubranchiobdella. Leech histological slides revealed haemogregarine-like structures, similar to post-sporogonic merogony, found near the gills and within the posterior sucker. Molecular analysis of the haemeogregarines resulted in the identification of three species of Haemogregarina: Haemogregarina embaubali, Haemogregarina goianensis, and Haemogregarina brasiliana. Therefore, our findings, based on morphology and DNA data suggest leeches of the genus Unoculubranchiondella as vectors for at least three species of Haemogregarina from Brazilian turtles.

Molecular phylogeny of two Rhinoxenus species (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from the nasal cavities of serrasalmids (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) from Brazil.

The dactylogyrid genus Rhinoxenus (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) is composed of specialized monogeneans infecting the nasal cavities of freshwater fishes from the Neotropical region. This taxon currently comprises 11 species and is easily distinguished from other monogeneans by the absence of the dorsal bar, ventral anchor with inconspicuous roots covered by a sclerotized cap, dorsal anchor greatly modified into a needle-like shape, and hook pair 2 located into bilateral lobes of the trunk. Specimens of Rhinoxenus euryxenus and Rhinoxenus paranaensis were found infecting the nasal cavities of Serrasalmus marginatus and Serrasalmus maculatus, respectively, from the Paraná River basin in Brazil. For the first time, molecular data of Rhinoxenus spp. were obtained and used as a basis for phylogenetic analyses of the genus. Furthermore, our findings represent the first record of R. paranaensis in Brazil.

A new species of Tiddergasilus Marques & Boeger, 2018 (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from the gills of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken) (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in Brazil.

A new parasitic copepod, Tiddergasilus bipartitus n. sp. (Copepoda, Ergasilidae), is described herein based on three adult females found attached to the gills of the yellow-tail lambari Astyanax lacustris (Lütken), sampled in Pardo River, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Tiddergasilus bipartitus n. sp. was recognized as a new member of the monotypic genus Tiddergasilus Marques & Boeger, 2018 by having: antennule 6-segmented; maxillary basis armed with 2 terminal teeth and ornamented with multiple spinules; second and third leg both with endopod 3-segmented. The new copepod can be distinguished from its congener, Tiddergasilus iheringi (Tidd, 1942), by the morphology of the antennal claw, number of somites/segments in abdomen and fourth leg, and by the ornamentation of the first leg. This report expands the geographic distribution and diversity of fish species parasitized with Tiddergasilus spp. in Brazil. Moreover, it also represents the first report of an ergasilid species in the Pardo River. A list of diagnostic features for the Brazilian species of Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 is provided herein, in order to aid comparisons with the species of this complex genus.

Anatomopathological lesions of infection caused by Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) in Neotropical primates kept in captivity.

This study described the hepatobiliary anatomopathological lesions associated with trematode Platynosomum illiciens parasitism in Neotropical primates kept in captivity. In the evaluated organs, we observed portal fibrosis, biliary epithelial hyperplasia, and inflammatory reaction with a predominance of lymphocytes and plasmocytes, and in some cases infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Visceral mycobacteriosis in amphibians from the Brazilian Caatinga region.

Emerging infectious diseases in wild animals related to humans have received greater attention in recent years. Mycobacteriosis is a bacterial disease of animal and human importance. Mycobacterium gordonae infects the skin and internal organs of free-ranging amphibians and is considered the least pathogenic member of the Mycobacteriaceae to humans. However, information about its infection and pathogenesis in wild amphibians is still lacking. A total of 1306 amphibian specimens belonging to 6 families, 12 genera, and 21 species were collected and dissected during a helminthological survey of 7 municipalities in southern Ceará state, Caatinga (eco)region, northeast Brazil. Of these, 17 specimens (0.76%), belonging to 2 families and 4 species (Leptodactylus macrosternum, n = 2; L. vastus, n = 10; Pseudopaludicola pocoto, n = 2; Rhinella jimi, n = 3), presented infections that consisted of calcification nodules in the coelomic cavity, kidney, liver, lung, gut, and pancreas. The nodules were examined by histopathology and PCR. The bacteria were identified as M. gordonae by molecular analyses. Infected animals presented with hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis, hepatic portal congestion, hemorrhage, mononuclear cellular infiltration, melanomacrophage center hyperplasia, and granulomas in varying stages of development with intralesional acid-fast bacilli. This study is the first report of M. gordonae in these amphibian species, in which results of molecular analyses confirmed the presence of M. gordonae in natural environments and histopathology confirmed the typical lesion of mycobacteriosis in amphibians from northeastern Brazil.

A new species of Wallinia Pearse, 1920 (Digenea: Allocreadiidae), in Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Characidae) in Northeast Brazil, based on morphology and DNA sequences.

Wallinia caririensis n. sp. is described from the intestine of Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Characidae) collected in the Batateiras River in the municipality of Crato, Ceará state, Brazil. The description was based on integrative taxonomy approach using DNA sequences from the D1-D3 domains of the 28S rDNA gene. The new species was confirmed through the phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA gene, which showed that Wallinia caririensis n. sp. is a sister taxon of Wallinia brasiliensis (Dias, Müller, Almeida, Silva, Azevedo, Pérez-Ponce de León, and Abdallah, 2018, and Wallinia anindoi Hernández-Mena, Pinacho-Pinacho, García-Varela, Mendonza-Garfias, and Pérez-Ponce de León, 2019), a species which parasitizes Astyanax fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819), A. lacustris (Lucena and Soares, 2016) in Brazil, and A. aeneus (Günther, 1860) in Mexico, with genetic divergences of 2% and 3%, respectively. The new species can be distinguished morphologically from its congeners by possessing large body size (length and width) and tapered extremity in the posterior end of the body, eyespots are present at the pharynx level, and vitelline follicles reach up to the half distance between the posterior testis and the extremity of the body, by having larger testes distributed in coincident zones (i.e., contiguous) and non-operculated eggs (a conspicuous characteristic in W. brasiliensis). To date, species of this genus have already been described in freshwater fishes from Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Southeastern Brazil. The species described in this study consists of the second species parasitizing characids in Brazil, and the first record in Northeastern Brazil. This finding fills a gap and expands the biogeographic distribution of the genus Wallinia in South America.

Ascocotyle longa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) infecting dolphins from the Atlantic Ocean.

We report for the first time the infection of dolphins with Ascocotyle longa found in the intestines of three different species, Sotalia guianensis, Steno bredanensis, and Tursiops truncatus gephyreus, which were found washed ashore along the southeastern and southern Brazilian coast. The worms were identified based on morphological and molecular data using the 28S rDNA gene and the COI gene. Specimens of A. longa from the pinniped Otaria flavescens were also analyzed. As the first isolation of A. longa from cetaceans, the present study increases the distribution area and range of definitive hosts of this trematode, and provides new molecular data to complement the phylogeny of the group in future studies, thus contributing to the scientific knowledge of this potentially zoonotic parasite.

First molecular assessment of two digenean parasites of the lancehead snake Bothrops moojeni Hoge, 1966 (Serpentes, Viperidae) in Brazil.

Two digenean species, Infidum infidum Faria, 1910 (Dicrocoeliidae) and Travtrema stenocotyle Cohn, 1902 (Plagiorchiidae), were collected in the large pit viper Bothrops moojeni Hoge, 1966 from Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Cisalpina, municipality of Brasilândia, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. In this study, we provide the first molecular characterisation using the 28S rDNA and phylogenetic position data of these two common digeneans from B. moojeni. The molecular framework revealed topologies with strongly supported clades using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, positioned I. infidum among Plagiorchiidae and not among Dicrocoeliidae as expected and T. stenocotyle (Plagiorchiidae) surprisingly grouped as a sister group to Allassogonoporidae, Microphallidae, Pleurogenidae, and Prosthogonimidae, not related to plagiorchids. Our molecular phylogenetic data showed that these species may not correspond to their assigned families and encourage future studies on the systematic of these understudied groups.

Occurrence of Cyanobacteria and microcystins in hydroelectric reservoirs used for fish farming.

Fish farming can have a negative impact on water quality and aquatic organisms due to emerging blooms of Cyanobacteria and the production of cyanotoxins. In this study, the effect of aquaculture in hydroelectric reservoirs in Brazil was evaluated in six fish farms and in upstream and downstream water through analysis of the microbiome, Cyanobacteria and microcystin concentrations. Synechococcus and Microcystis were observed at all six locations, while Limnothrix was also observed abundantly at two locations. An increase in the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria inside the fish farms was observed at two locations, while an increase of Cyanobacteria was observed in downstream at five of the six locations. Microcystins were detected in significant and high values in all locations, with concentrations up to 1.59 µg/L. The trend in microcystin concentrations was mirrored in copy numbers of the mcyE gene (encodes microcystin synthetase) and presence of Microcystis, but not in any of the other observed cyanobacterial groups. In summary, the study shows that aquaculture production influenced the water microbiome inside and downstream the fish farms, and a direct correlation was found between mcyE gene copies, microcystin production and abundance of Microcystis, but not for the total abundance of Cyanobacteria.

Seven new species of Urocleidoides (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Brazilian fishes supported by morphological and molecular data.

Seven new species of Urocleidoides from the gills and skin of nine Neotropical fish hosts (Anostomidae, Parodontidae, and Gymnotidae) are described: Urocleidoides digitabulum n. sp. on Leporinus friderici, Leporinus octofasciatus, and Megaleporinus elongatus (Anostomidae); Urocleidoides solarivaginatus n. sp. on L. friderici, L. octofasciatus, and Leporinus striatus (Anostomidae); Urocleidoides falxus n. sp. and Urocleidoides sapucaiensis n. sp. on M. elongatus; Urocleidoides tenuis n. sp. on Apareiodon piracicabae and Apareiodon affinis (Parodontidae); Urocleidoides sinus n. sp. on L. striatus, Schizodon nasutus, and Schizodon intermedius (Anostomidae); and Urocleidoides uncinus n. sp. on Gymnotus sylvius (Gymnotidae). Urocleidoides paradoxus was also found in this study on L. friderici and included in the phylogenetic analysis. Molecular data (partial 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I) were obtained for U. digitabulum n. sp., U. tenuis n. sp., U. sinus n. sp., and U. uncinus n. sp. The identification of Urocleidoides is amended herein to include all taxonomic modifications observed in this genus over time and add new characteristics observed in the species in the present study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Urocleidoides digitabulum n. sp. and Urocleidoides sinus n. sp. (parasites of anostomids) closely related in the tree topologies. Furthermore, the new species described herein parasitized phylogenetically distant host species (Characiformes and Gymnotiformes), suggesting the effect of the dynamic process of ecological fitting.

A new species of Rhabdias (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae), a lung parasite of Pseudopaludicola pocoto (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from north-eastern Brazil: description and phylogenetic analyses.

Rhabdias pocoto n. sp. is herein described from the lungs of the swamp frog Pseudopaludicola pocoto Magalhães, Loebmann, Nogueira, Kokubum, Baptista, Haddad & Garda, 2014, from the Caatinga biome in the state of Ceará, in north-eastern Brazil. The new species is characterized by a body that dilates posteriorly, six small lips (protuberances) and two rounded lateral expansions of cuticular inflation on the anterior end, each containing an amorphous gland-like structure inside and a short and conical tail. Additionally, molecular analysis and comparison of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequence of R. pocoto n. sp. revealed genetic divergence between the new species and the sequences of Rhabdias spp. previously deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the new taxon into the R. pseudosphaerocephala species complex + R. glaurungi clade. The new discovery represents the 19th species of Rhabdias spp. described in the Neotropical region, the ninth in Brazil and the first species of Rhabdias found parasitizing South American frogs of the genus Pseudopaludicola, as well as the first Caatinga biome species of Rhabdias.

New data on Myxobolus imparfinis (Cnidaria, Myxosporea): host, distribution, and ultrastructural morphology.

A mass of free myxozoan spores was found in the gill filaments of specimens of Cetopsorhamdia iheringi Schubart and Gomes, 1959, popularly known as "three-barbeled catfishes" (Heptapteridae, Siluriformes) collected in streams of the Middle Paranapanema River, Upper Paraná River basin, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Morphological and molecular analysis identified the spores as Myxobolus imparfinis Vieira, Tagliavini, Abdallah and Azevedo, 2018. The ultrastructural morphology of this parasite is described here for the first time. Differences were observed in the number of coils of the polar filament as well as some organelles not previously described for this species. Asynchronous development was also observed, with the presence of both mature and immature spores. This is the first report of a myxozoan parasitizing C. iheringi and the first geographical record of myxozoan parasites in streams of the Middle Paranapanema River. The new data improve the original description of the species and add to the knowledge of host-parasite interactions and distribution.

Molecular and morphological characterization of the metacercariae of two species of diplostomid trematodes (Platyhelminthes, Digenea) in freshwater fishes of the Batalha River, Brazil.

The Diplostomidae include a large group of flatworms with complex life cycles and are frequently found parasitizing the eyes and central nervous system of freshwater fishes. The morphological identification of the metacercariae at species level is not always possible. Thus, molecular tools have become essential to assist in the parasite species determination. This study was aimed at describing two diplostomid metacercariae found in freshwater fish in São Paulo, Brazil, based on morphological characters and in the genetic characterization of COI sequences. Our results showed that the two recognized taxa (Tylodelphys sp. and Diplostomidae gen. sp.) appear to be different from the species already described in South America. Tylodelphys sp. differs morphologically from Tylodelphys xenopi, T. mashonense, T. jenynsiae, and T. scheuringi. The metacercariae of T. clavata and T. conifera are smaller than Tylodelphys sp., while T. podicipina is larger than the metacercariae described here. The phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences yielded Tylodelphys sp. as the sister species of Tylodelphys sp. 4, a species reported from the brain of the eleotrid Gobiomorus maculatus in Oaxaca, Mexico. The metacercariae identified as Diplostomidae gen. sp. are morphologically different from the known diplostomid metacercariae and did not match with other diplostomid sequences available. Diplostomidae gen. sp. is recovered as the sister species of Diplostomum ardeae. Although the morphological evidence and the COI sequences differentiate the metacercariae found, the absence of adult specimens of both species precludes the specific designation. This is one of the first papers that use an integrative taxonomy approach to describe the species diversity of diplostomid trematodes in Brazil.

A new myxozoan species Henneguya unitaeniata sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) on gills of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus from Mato Grosso State, Brazil.

On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, a new myxozoan parasite is described from the gills of the fish Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, collected in the municipality of Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Plasmodia of Henneguya unitaeniata sp. nov. were oval and whitish and were found surrounded by collagen fibers forming plasmodia wall between gill filaments on the gill arch. The spores were ellipsoidal with two similar polar capsules. Morphometric analysis showed a total spore mean length of 23.8 ± 1.5 µm, spore body mean length of 14.5 ± 0.7 µm, caudal appendage mean length of 10.3 ± 1.4 µm, thickness mean length of 4.3 ± 0.3 µm, polar capsule mean length of 4.2 ± 0.5 µm, polar capsule mean width of 1.8 ± 0.3 µm, spore mean width of 4.8 ± 0.4 µm, and 4-5 polar filament coils. Phylogenetic analysis showed Henneguya unitaeniata sp. nov. as a basal species in a subclade formed by myxozoans that parasitize bryconid fishes.

Spinitectus aguapeiensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) from Pimelodella avanhandavae Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) in the River Aguapeí, Upper Paraná River Basin, Brazil.

Nematodes belonging to Spinitectus Fourment, 1883 (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) were found in the intestine of Pimelodella avanhandavae Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Aguapeí River, Brazil. They represent a new species, Spinitectus aguapeiensis n. sp., which differs morphologically from its congeners in the body length, the number of spinose rings, the location of the excretory pore, the number of precloacal papillae and the length of the spicules. The new species is the first South American species within the genus with a remarkably spirally coiled posterior extremity in males and the largest spicules. It is also the second species with the highest number of precloacal papillae and has unique shape of the small spicule. Spinitectus aguapeiensis n. sp. is the first helminth species found in P. avanhandavae, the fourth species of this genus recorded in the River Paraná Basin and the sixth species of Spinitectus in South America.

Characterization of Hepatozoon spp. in Leptodactylus chaquensis and Leptodactylus podicipinus from two regions of the Pantanal, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Hepatozoon sp. are parasites that commonly infect frogs and arthropod vectors. This species has variability in the morphological and morphometric characteristics. Due to these variations, the naming of the species is thus impaired and only by visualizing the sporogonic cycle in vector and by molecular studies this problem can be solved. Recently, the use of molecular genetics has helped the species denomination. In this work, we collected 145 frogs (68 Leptodactylus chaquensis and 77 Leptodactylus podicipinus) in different sampling sites, where were found 18 (26.47%) L. chaquensis and 24 (31.17%) L. podicipinus parasitized; besides of gamonts, schizogonic forms were also seen in animals organs. The positivity difference between the collection sites for both frog species was not significant (p = 0.958). Comparing gamonts found in each species of anuran, we observed differences in morphology. The comparison in the molecular level for L. podicipinus was not possible due to small amount of blood obtained, just L. chaquensis had their parasites DNA sequenced. The amplified and sequenced samples, named HEP1 to HEP10, are presented in the phylogenetic tree as a different branch from other haemogregarines described on other hosts. Therefore, we have seen that, although the morphology and morphometry of the collected parasites at each site showed differences, the sequencing of these samples revealed identical species of Hepatozoon, and different compared to those from GenBank, thereby demonstrating that the species of Hepatozoon in L. chaquensis observed in this study probably represent a new species.

A New Species of Creptotrematina (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from the Red Minor Tetra, Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882) (Characidae) from Brazil, with Comments on the Genetic Divergence of C. Aguirrepequenoi Jiménez-Guzmán, 1973 across a Wide Geographical Range in Middle America.

BACKGROUND: Allocreadiids are relatively small digeneans that appear to be restricted to freshwater systems distributed across the world. Allocreadiids are highly diverse in the Americas, particularly in the Neotropical biogeographical region. Their taxonomic history has been rather controversial, with several taxonomic reassessments and the description of new genera and species. METHODS: We sampled Creptotrematina specimens from a characid collected in the Pardo River, Paranapanema River basin in Brazil, and specimens of C. aguirrepequenoi, from Astyanax spp. in several localities between northern Mexico and Costa Rica. The specimens were studied through integrative approaches using morphological and molecular analyses of the 28S rDNA gene and two different regions of the COI mtDNA gene. RESULTS: We describe a new species of Creptotrematina which is differentiated from other congeners by the overall body size, but in particular by the size and position of the cirrus-sac, distribution of the vitelline follicles, and extension of uterine loops in the posterior end of body. Phylogenetic analyses of the 28S rDNA and COI mtDNA genes placed the new species in a monophyletic clade together with all other sequenced species of Creptotrematina, and as a sister species of C. batalhensis. Genetic divergences between the new species and other Creptotrematina spp. varied from 1.1 to 1.2% for the 28S rDNA and 12.4-14.3% for the COI mtDNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI mtDNA showed the isolates of C. aguirrepequenoi grouped in four monophyletic clades representing populations geographically separated along a wide geographical range spanning between northern Mexico and Costa Rica, with an estimated genetic divergence between 3.9% and 8.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings based on integrative analyses recognize Creptotrematina saltograndensis n. sp. from a characid collected in the Pardo River, Paranapanema River basin in Brazil and provide validation of the wide geographical distribution of C. aguirrepequenoi across Middle-America parasitizing Astyanax spp.; the genetic divergence of the species through the analysis of two regions of COI mtDNA points towards considering it represent a species complex, although we refrain at the moment on describing a new species, awaiting for further verification using other molecular markers, and obtaining fresh material for a more detailed taxonomic analyses. This study increases the known diversity of allocreadiids and contributes to the understanding of evolutionary relationships, host-parasite relationships, and biogeographic history of the group.

Pathogenesis of Experimental Infection of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Nucleospora Braziliensis Pathology and Proteomic of Microsporidia.

The recent discovery of disease caused by Nucleospora braziliensis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is important as it has highlighted the high prevalence of infection and associated mortality in cultured fish. Thus, this study conducted an experimental infection of this microsporidium to evaluate pathological alterations and conduct proteomic analysis. For pathological observation, samples of brain, eyes, gall bladder, gut, heart, kidney, liver, muscle, skin, spleen, and stomach tissue, were collected, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed for proteomic analysis. The most prevalent lesions were brownish color of the liver, gill filament fusion, gut ischemia, hemorrhage of the lips and fins, hepatomegaly, spleen atrophy, splenomegaly, and stomach congestion. The most common microscopic lesions were degeneration, hemorrhage, and inflammation in the brain, gills, gut, kidney, liver, muscle, spleen, and stomach. The digested peptides were identified by LC-MS/MS and the intersection of each group showed that in the spleen there were 121 exclusive proteins in the infected sample and 252 in the control, while in the kidney, 129 proteins were identified in the infected specimen compared to 83 in the control. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the proteome profile of O. niloticus kidney and spleen tissue in response to infection with N. braziliensis.

Molecular identification of Mymarothecium viatorum and Anacanthorus penilabiatus in extensive native fish farming systems of the Peruvian Amazon.

Piaractus brachypomus (Pacú) is the main native fish species cultivated in Peru and holds great potential for growth in aquaculture from the Peruvian Amazon. Between October 2021 and January 2022 in two fish producing farms in the Amazon region of San Martín in Peru, P. brachypomus individuals were examined for parasite evaluation. A total of 6366 monogeneans were isolated from the gills of 30 fish, revealing a prevalence of 100%, with an abundance and mean intensity of 212 parasites per fish. Monogeneans were morphologically identified as Mymarothecium viatorum and Anacanthorus penilabiatus. The genetic divergence in the 28S rDNA gene found among A. penilabiatus sequences was 0.1% and among Anacanthorus spp. it ranged from 0.9% to 7.5%. The genetic divergence found among the M. viatorum sequences was 0.3%. These finding represents the first molecular data of M. viatorum and A. penilabiatus in Peru using the 28S rDNA gene of these monogeneans. The new sequences obtained will contribute to future studies on the phylogenetic relationships among dactylogyrids. However, further research with a broader range of host-parasite samples and additional genetic markers is needed to clarify these relationships and provide stronger support for the phylogenetic positions.

Parasites (Monogenea) of tilapias Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon rendalli (Cichlidae) in a river spring in Brazil.

In the present study, we examined 30 individuals of introduced African cichlids, Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon rendalli, collected in a river spring of the Pardo River, Paranapanema River basin, southeastern Brazil. Based on morphological and molecular analyses of the partial LSU rDNA gene, we identified four species of monogeneans, Cichlidogyrus tilapiae, C. thurstonae, C. mbirizei, and Scutogyrus longicornis on the gills of O. niloticus, whereas individuals of C. rendalli were infested only with C. papernastrema. This is the first record of C. mbirizei and C. papernastrema in tilapias from Brazil. The ecological consequences of the introduction of exotic species of tilapia such as O. niloticus and C. rendalli along with their monogenean parasites in a wild environment represented by a river spring are discussed. Our new molecular data on Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus contribute to the investigation of the phylogenetic interrelationships of these widely distributed genera of monogeneans since their species composition is still unsettled.

Title: Parasites (Monogenea) des tilapias Oreochromis niloticus et Coptodon rendalli (Cichlidae) dans une source au Brésil. Abstract: Dans la présente étude, nous avons examiné 30 individus de cichlidés africains introduits, Oreochromis niloticus et Coptodon rendalli, collectés dans une source fluviale du fleuve Pardo, bassin du fleuve Paranapanema, dans le sud-est du Brésil. Sur la base d'analyses morphologiques et moléculaires du gène partiel de l'ADNr LSU, nous avons identifié quatre espèces de monogènes, Cichlidogyrus tilapiae, C. thurstonae, C. mbirizei et Scutogyrus longicornis sur les branchies d'O. niloticus, alors que les individus de C. rendalli étaient infestés uniquement par C. papernastrema. Il s'agit du premier signalement de C. mbirizei et C. papernastrema chez des tilapias du Brésil. Les conséquences écologiques de l'introduction d'espèces exotiques de tilapia telles que O. niloticus et C. rendalli ainsi que leurs monogènes parasites dans un environnement sauvage représenté par une source fluviale sont discutées. Nos nouvelles données moléculaires sur Cichlidogyrus et Scutogyrus contribuent à l'étude des interrelations phylogénétiques de ces genres de monogènes largement distribués puisque leur composition spécifique est encore incertaine.