PARASITIC HELMINTHS INFECTING Eucinostomus melanopterus AND Eugerres plumieri (PERCIFORMES: GERREIDAE), FROM BOCA DEL RIO, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO / Helmintos parásitos de Eucinostomus melanopterus y Eugerres plumieri (Perciformes: Gerreidae), de Boca del Río, Veracruz, México

ABSTRACT A helminthological examination was carried out on 14 specimens of Eucinostomus melanopterus (flagfin mojarra) and 19 Eugerres plumieri (striped mojarra), of which a total of 461 helminths were collected. As a result, and 12 taxa were registered (five species, five genus and tow family), as follows: four monogeneans, five digeneans (four adults, one metacercaria), one cestode (larva) and tow nematodes (larvae). The highest prevalence was for Neodiplectanum mexicanum (29 %) infecting E. melanopterus and Aristocleidus hastatus (37 %) infecting E. plumieri. Both hosts shared 50 % of recorded species, and none of the identified helminthes represents a zoonotic risk.

RESUMEN Se efectuó un examen helmintológico a 14 especímenes de Eucinostomus melanopterus (mojarra bandera) y 19 Eugerres plumieri (mojarra rayada), de los cuales se recolectaron un total de 461 helmintos. Se identificaron 12 taxones (cinco a nivel de especie, cinco a género y dos a familia) como sigue: cuatro monogéneos, cinco digéneos (cuatro adultos, una metacercaria), un céstodo (plerocercoide) y dos nemátodos (larvas). La prevalencia más alta fue para Neodiplectanum mexicanum (29 %) en E. melanopterus y Aristocleidus hastatus (37 %) en E. plumieri. Ambos hospederos comparten el 50 % de los taxones de parásitos. Ninguno de los helmintos representa un riesgo zoonótico.

Cadmium, copper and lead in macroalgae from the Veracruz Reef System, Gulf of Mexico: spatial distribution and rainy season variability.

This study focused on the spatial distribution of trace metals in the Veracruz Reef System in the Southern Gulf of Mexico, and its variability in the early (July) and late (September) rainy season of 2008, by analyzing the concentration of Cd, Cu and Pb in benthic macroalgae. Mean concentrations are lower (Pb 295 ± 347 ng g(-1), Cd 17.9 ± 15.0 ng g(-1)), or similar (Cu 3.4 ± 4.5 µg g(-1)) to those reported from other coastal areas. Cd and Pb concentrations are influenced by the discharge of the Jamapa River, evidencing a fluvial control on coastal trace metal levels. Also, Cd and Cu concentrations were lower in the late rainy season, when there is a high load of suspended sediments derived from fluvial discharge, which probably adsorb dissolved metals decreasing their bioavailability. Pb concentrations have been decreasing in the last two decades in the SGM, after the banning of leaded-gasoline in the late 20th century.

Efectos del huracán "Pauline" (1997) sobre la fauna asociada a la planta Eichhornia crassipes en la Laguna Coyuca, Pacífico Sur de México

Effects of hurricane "Pauline" (1997) on the fauna associated with the plant Eichhornia crassipes in Laguna Coyuca, South Pacific of Mexico. Reports on the effects of hurricanes on marine and coastal nvironments often deal with coral reefs, but little is known about their effect on the communities associated with the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes. From January 1997 (pre-hurricane) through April 1998 (post-hurricane) we made montly collections of fauna in E. crassipes roots from Laguna Coyuca, Mexico (17º00’-16º54’ N, 99º58’-100º05’ W). The hurricane affected Coyuca on October 9th, 1997 and caused mortalities of that fauna. During the three subsequent months the absence of E. crassipes and its associated fauna in the study area was evident, but in January 1998, we found a partial reestablishment of E. crassipes and its associated fauna. Four months later, this community was almost back to pre-hurricane levels. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 603-611. Epub 2008 June 30.

Observaciones sobre los efectos que el huracán "Pauline" produjo a su paso por la laguna Coyuca, sur del Pacífico de México la madrugada del 9 de octubre de 1997, indican que el disturbio tropical ocasionó en el área la desaparición temporal de la fauna asociada a las raíces del lirio acuático en relación a la fauna registrada durante los meses anteriores al fenómeno; durante los tres meses posteriores se registró la disminución de E. crassipes en el área de estudio. En enero de 1998 se observó el inicio de su recuperación y se recolectaron los primeros organismos asociados a sus raíces; cuatro meses más tarde el lirio acuático y su fauna asociada casi alcanzaban los mismos niveles registrados antes del huracán.

[Effects of hurricane "Pauline" (1997) on the fauna associated with the plant Eichhornia crassipes in Laguna Coyuca, South Pacific of Mexico]. / Efectos del huracán "Pauline" (1997) sobre la fauna asociada a la planta Eichhornia crassipes en la Laguna Coyuca, Pacífico sur de México.

Effects of hurricane "Pauline" (1997) on the fauna associated with the plant Eichhornia crassipes in Laguna Coyuca, South Pacific of Mexico. Reports on the effects of hurricanes on marine and coastal environments often deal with coral reefs, but little is known about their effect on the communities associated with the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes. From January 1997 (pre-hurricane) through April 1998 (post-hurricane) we made montly collections of fauna in E. crassipes roots from Laguna Coyuca, Mexico (17 degrees 00' - 16 degrees 54' N, 99 degrees 58'-100 degrees 05' W). The hurricane affected Coyuca on October 9th, 1997 and caused mortalities of that fauna. During the three subsequent months the absence of E. crassipes and its associated fauna in the study area was evident, but in January 1998, we found a partial reestablishment of E. crassipes and its associated fauna. Four months later, this community was almost back to pre-hurricane levels.

Controla la biomasa de pastos marinos la densidad de los peracáridos (Crustacea: Peracarida) en lagunas tropicales? / Does sea-grass biomass control the density of peracarids (Crustacea: Peracarida) in tropical lagoons?

We analyzed the time-space variation of the peracarid crustaceans that inhabit seagrasses of the Alvarado Lagoon System, Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico. The organisms were collected from 108 samples in six sites with Ruppia maritima beds (December 1992 to November 1994). The assemblage was composed of 11 species. Eight species of Amphipoda (Hourstonius laguna, Cerapus benthophilus, Apocorophium louisianum, Grandidierella bonnieroides, Leptocheirus rhizophorae, Gammarus mucronatus, Melita longisetosa and Haustorius sp.), one of Isopoda (Cassidinidea ovalis) and two of Tanaidacea (Discapseudes holthuisi and Leptochelia savignyi) were identified. Taxocoenosis, density and biomass of peracarids showed seasonal pulses related to R. maritima biomass, salinity variation, epicontinental affluent and inlets. The species C. ovalis, G. mucronatus, A. louisianum and D. holthuisi were dominant.

[Does sea-grass biomass control the density of peracarids (Crustacea: Peracarida) in tropical lagoons?]. / Controla la biomasa de pastos marinos la densidad de los peracáridos (Crustacea: Peracarida) en lagunas tropicales?

We analyzed the time-space variation of the peracarid crustaceans that inhabit seagrasses of the Alvarado Lagoon System, Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico. The organisms were collected from 108 samples in six sites with Ruppia maritima beds (December 1992 to November 1994). The assemblage was composed of 11 species. Eight species of Amphipoda (Hourstonius laguna, Cerapus benthophilus, Apocorophium louisianum, Grandidierella bonnieroides, Leptocheirus rhizophorae, Gammarus mucronatus, Melita longisetosa and Haustorius sp.), one of Isopoda (Cassidinidea ovalis) and two of Tanaidacea (Discapseudes holthuisi and Leptochelia savignyi) were identified. Taxocoenosis, density and biomass of peracarids showed seasonal pulses related to R. maritima biomass, salinity variation, epicontinental affluent and inlets. The species C. ovalis, G. mucronatus, A. louisianum and D. holthuisi were dominant.