First record of metazoan parasites of hybrids between the genera Colossoma and Piaractus in natural environments.

The practice of hybridization is carried out globally in fish farms. Here, we present the first record of the parasitic fauna of hybrids among genus Colossoma and Piaractus in natural environments. We identified a total of 48 hybrids, nine F1 hybrids (nuclear DNA from both species present in the cross) and 38 advanced hybrids (nuclear DNA from one species), both from crosses between Piaractus brachypomus and Piaractus mesopotamicus, and one F1 "tambacu" corresponding to cross between Colossoma macropomum and Piaractus mesopotamicus. This is the first record of Anacanthorus penilabiatus, Anacanthorus toledoensis, Mymarothecium viatorum, Mymarothecium ianwhittington, Haementeria sp., Dadaytrema oxycephala, Rondonia rondoni, and Echinorhynchus gomesi parasitizing hybrids collected in a natural environment. With this, we expand knowledge about the diversity of fish and parasites in the upper Paraná River and warn about the risk that fish escapes can cause in the basin.

An initial coprological survey of parasitic fauna in the wild Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis).

The Amur leopard, one of nine recently recognized subspecies of leopard, is still the most threatened by a stochastic procession of extinction. Evaluation of the potential danger to the conservation of the Amur leopard originating from disease urgently needs to be studied. Unfortunately, research on the potential risk to Amur leopards caused by disease is rare. In terms of parasitic diseases that affect this species, even basic data for parasitic fauna are absent. The aim of this study is to acquire this knowledge to improve the general understanding of Amur leopard parasites. Seven parasite species, including 3 nematodes (Toxocara cati, a capillarid-type parasite, and a Metastrongyloidea-type parasite), 2 cestodes (Spirometra sp. and Taenia sp.), 1 trematode (Paragonimus sp.), and 1 protozoan (Cystoisospora felis), were found in this research. Toxocara cati occurred most frequently, followed by Spirometra sp.

Henneguyosis in gills of Metynnis hypsauchen: an Amazon freshwater fish.

This study describes aspects of infection caused by Myxozoa of the genus Henneguya sp. in gills of fish belonging to the species Metynnis hypsauchen. Two sampling were made in the Capim river, close to the Ribeira community, in the municipality of Ipixuna do Pará, State of Pará, Brazil, during the months of August 2018 and March 2019. The animals were captured and transported live to the Laboratório de Pesquisa Carlos Azevedo, at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), in Belém, Pará, Brazil. The animals were examined, and after parasitism was confirmed, Differential Interference Contrast Microscopes were used, to evaluate the parasite spores. Ziehl-Neelsen stain techniques were used in histology. Necroscopic analyses of Metynnis hypsauchen specimens found parasites in 80% of the hosts (16/20), with whitish-colored cysts in the branchial filaments, containing mature spores of the genus Henneguya. The histopathological analysis indicated large areas with cystic lesions with associated ischemic necrosis. The descriptions from this study indicate that the parasite drastically compromises the host's respiratory system. Additionally, it is worth noting that parasite fauna studies of fishes in the Capim river are still a vast topic for research; this is the first record of infection by Henneguya sp. in Metynnis hypsauchen, captured in the Capim river in Ipixuna do Pará.

Multiparasitism in gills of Metynnis lippincottianus from the environmental protection area of Curiaú river, Eastern Amazon / Multiparasitismo em brânquias de Metynnis lippincottianus da área de proteção ambiental do rio Curiaú, Amazônia Oriental

ABSTRACT: The high fish diversity of the Amazon has been the subject of study for several research projects because of the importance of its ecosystems. The Environmental Protection Area of the Curiaú River is composed of permanent and temporary lakes within the floodplain forests, favoring a rich diversity of fish species. Pratinha. (Metynnis lippincottianus) is an ornamental fish, widely distributed throughout Brazil and French Guiana. Fish parasites may reflect the environmental quality, as well as the habits of their host. Considering the importance of understanding and contributing to the expansion of studies on fish parasites, the present study aimed to investigate the gills of Metynnis lippincottianus from the Curiaú River basin in the municipality of Macapá (Eastern Amazon). A total of 200 specimens of Metynnis lippincottianus from the Curiaú River were examined and 89% of the analyzed fish were parasitized by metacercariae, Dactylogyridae gen. sp., Piscinoodinium pillulare, Trichodina sp., Henneguya sp., and Myxobolus sp. Despite this high parasitic load, body conditions were not affected. This is the first documented incidence of a species belonging to the Phylum Cnidaria: Myxozoa in Metynnis lippincottianus.

RESUMO: A alta diversidade ictiológica da Amazônia tem sido fonte de estudo de diversas pesquisas, por esta região amazônica englobar alguns ecossistemas importantes. A Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Curiaú é composta por lagos permanentes e temporários dentro das florestas de várzeas, o que favorece em uma rica diversidade de espécies de peixes. Metynnis lippincottianus é um peixe ornamental, amplamente distribuído pelo Brasil e Guiana Francesa. Os parasitos de peixes podem refletir a qualidade ambiental, assim como nos hábitos de seu hospedeiro. Considerando a importância de entender e contribuir para a expansão dos estudos sobre parasitos de peixes, o presente estudo teve como objetivo, investigar as brânquias de Metynnis lippincottianus oriundos da bacia do Rio Curiaú no município de Macapá-AP (Amazônia Oriental). Foram examinados 200 exemplares de Metynnis lippincottianus, oriundos do rio Curiaú, sendo que 89% dos peixes analisados estavam parasitados por parasitos diversos: Piscinoodinium pillulare, Trichodina sp., Henneguya sp., Myxobolus sp., monogenoide da família Dactylogyridae e metacercárias. Apesar dessa alta carga parasitária, as condições corporais não foram afetadas. Esta é a primeira ocorrência de espécies do filo Cnidaria: Myxozoa em Metynnis lippincottianus.

Hematological characteristics associated with parasitism in Pikeperch Sander lucioperca (Percidae) from Anzali Wetland.

A total of 120 Sander lucioperca (Percidae) were captured and investigated for parasites and also haematological parameters were analysed and compared between infected and uninfected fish. The haematological analysis showed reductions in haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell, whereas with blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte significantly increased (P < 0.05) in infected fish, whereas with blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte significantly increased (P < 0.05) in infected fish. Parasitological inspections revealed the following infestations: Eustrongylides excisus (Nematoda), Dactylogyrus sp. (Platyhelminthes) and Achtheres percarum, Diplostomum spathaceum (Platyhelminthes) and Trichodina sp. (Ciliophora). The prevalence and intensity of the infection with parasites were varied at age groups of host. Significant differences were found for the white blood cell and lymphocyte in relation to parasitism. Parasitism had no influence on studied blood parameters of S. lucioperca in natural conditions.

Parasites of two coexisting invasive sailfin catfishes (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in a tropical region of Mexico

Currently many species of Amazon sailfin catfishes (Loricariidae) have been introduced to wild environments outside their native range. There is, however, little knowledge about their role as vectors of parasites that can infect native fish or even humans through its consumption. The aim of the present study was to determine the parasitic fauna of the invasive sailfin catfish species Pterygoplichthys pardalis (leopard pleco) and P. disjunctivus (vermiculated pleco) from freshwater systems in the southeast of Mexico. Four ectoparasite species were found in P. pardalis (1 protozoan: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis ; 2 monogeneans: Urocleidoides vaginoclastrum and Heteropriapulus heterotylus ; 1 digenean: Clinostomum sp.), and only one in Heteropriapulus disjunctivus (H. heterotylus ). No endoparasites were found. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis , U. vaginoclaustrum and Clinostomum sp. , were considered as rare species (prevalence <5%) since they were found in a single individual of P. pardalis . H. heterotylus was the only species shared among both host species and it occurs throughout the year. This monogenean species represents 96% of total parasites recorded in P. pardalis and 100% in P. disjunctivus. Monthly values of prevalence, intensity and abundance of H. heterotylus in both host species showed important intra-annual variations, but not differ significantly between both hosts.(AU)

Actualmente muchas especies de peces conocidos como plecos o peces diablo (Loricariidae) han sido introducidas en ambientes silvestres fuera de su área de distribución natural. Sin embargo, hay poco conocimiento acerca de su papel como vectores de parásitos que puedan infectar a los peces nativos o incluso los seres humanos a través de su consumo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la fauna parasitaria de las especies de plecos Pterygoplichthys pardalis (pleco leopardo) y P. disjunctivus (pleco vermiculado) en sistemas de agua dulce del sureste de México. Fueron encontradas cuatro especies de ectoparásitos en P. pardalis (1 protozoario: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis ; 2 monogeneos: Urocleidoides vaginoclastrum y Heteropriapulus heterotylus ; 1 digeneo: Clinostomum sp.) y una en P. disjunctivus (H. heterotylus ). No se encontraron endoparásitos. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, U. vaginoclaustrum y Clinostomum sp. fueron consideradas como especies raras (prevalencia <5%), ya que estuvieron en un solo individuo de P. pardalis . Heteropriapulus heterotylus fue la única especie compartida entre ambas especies de peces y que estuvo presente durante todo el año, y representó el 96% del total de parásitos registrados en P. pardalis y el 100% en P. disjunctivus. La prevalencia, intensidad media y abundancia media de H. heterotylus mostraron importantes variaciones intra-anuales en ambas especies de peces, pero no difirió significativamente entre ambos hospederos.(AU)

A description of parasites from Iranian snakes.

Little is known of the parasitic fauna of terrestrial snakes in Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the parasitic infection rates of snakes in Iran. A total of 87 snakes belonging to eight different species, that were collected between May 2012 and September 2012 and died after the hold in captivity, under which they were kept for taking poisons, were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal and blood parasites. According to our study 12 different genera of endoparasites in 64 (73.56%) of 87 examined snakes were determined. Forty one snakes (47.12%) had gastrointestinal parasites. In prepared blood smears, it was found that in 23 (26.43%) of 87 examined snakes there are at least one hemoparasite. To our knowledge, these are the first data on the internal parasitic fauna of Iranian terrestrial snakes and our findings show a higher prevalence of these organisms among them.

Amphistome species in cattle in South coast of caspian sea.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the amphistomid fauna in Iranian domestic ruminants depends on the studies conducted almost 30 years ago. The last situation in cattle is introduced here in the provinces in south coast of Caspian Sea. METHODS: Amphistomid species were collected from cattle at slaughter houses of the provinces Gilan and Mazanderan in 2010. Median sagittal sections were prepared by the conventional method. Species were identified by the histomorphological pecularities of the muscular argans. RESULTS: Five amphistomid species, Paramphistomum cevri, P. gotoi, Calicophoron calicophorum, Carmyerius spatiosus and Gastrothylax compressus, recovered. Calicophoron calicophorum is a new species for Iran. Criteria used in identification of the species were illustrated. CONCLUSION: Iran has a rich amphistomid fauna and mostly under the influence of oriental conditions.