Parasite biodiversity of Leporinus piau Fowler, 1941 (Characiformes, Anostomidae) in a lentic ecosystem from the Salgado River basin, Caatinga Domain, Brazil.

Leporinus piau is a freshwater fish belonging to the family Anostomidae, popularly known as "piau" in Brazil. This species has wide distribution in Brazilian northeast basins and presents an economic and sporting fishing importance. The present study aims to inventory the parasitofauna of L. piau of a freshwater ecosystem of Caatinga domain (Brazil). A total of 598 parasite specimens were recovered from nine parasitized hosts, belonging to four taxonomic groups: one Myxozoa (Henneguya sp.); four Monogenea (Dactylogyridae gen. sp., Jainus sp., Urocleidoides sp. 1 and Urocleidoides sp. 2); one Nematoda (Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus) and two Copepoda (Ergasilus sp. and Gamispatulus schizodontis). Previous studies reported five parasitic associations in L. piau: two nematodes (P. (S.) inopinatus and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) saofrancicencis) and three crustaceans (Argulus sp., Brasergasilus sp. and Ergasilus sp.). For the first time, this study records myxozoan and monogeneans parasitizing the host L. piau. The present study stands out the importance of the knowledge of the parasite biodiversity of freshwater fish in neotropics, reporting new occurrences and parasitic association for ichthyofauna of the Caatinga domain.

Metazoan parasite community of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) in a stream of Caatinga domain, Brazil.

We purpose to describe and characterize the structure of the parasitic community of H. malabaricus in a stream from Caatinga domain, Ceará state, Brazil. A total of 42 specimens of H. malabaricus have been collected between December 2018 and August 2019, in which, 34 specimens were parasitized by at least one parasite. A total of 1,872 parasites were recovered, of which, 157 were Urocleidoides cuiabai (prevalence = 50%), 268 Urocleidodes brasiliensis (prevalence = 71.43%), 98 Dactylogyridae gen. sp. (prevalence = 14.29%), 401 Diplostomidae gen. sp. (prevalence = 4.76%), 183 Spiroxys sp. (prevalence = 42.86%) and 765 Pindapixara tarira (prevalence = 9.52%). The respective parasite species of H. malabaricus showed a pattern of overdispersion (or aggregation) typical of the parasitehost systems, corroborating with previous studies of parasitic communities of freshwater fish in Brazil. A positive and significant correlation between the host size and abundance of U. brasiliensis was verified. The ontogeny of fish can influence the parasitic load, some larger hosts tend to host larger quantities of parasites. The parasitic levels can vary with the host sex due to the differences in the ecological and physiological interactions between male and female. However, the host sex did not show influences in the prevalence and parasitic burden. All parasite taxa in this study have not yet been reported in the Carás stream, Caatinga domain. This finding extends the geographical distribution of this parasite species, furthermore, contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of fish parasites in the Neotropical region.

Diversity and community ecology of metazoan parasites in Tetragonopterus argenteus Cuvier, 1816 (Characiformes, Characidae) from Jaguaribe River basin in Brazil.

The present study aims to inventory the metazoan parasites of Tetragonopterus argenteus from the Lima Campos weir, municipality of Icó, Ceará, Brazil and to analyze the influence of the host size and sex on the prevalence and parasitic abundance. A total of 359 metazoan parasites specimens were collected from 54 specimens of T. argenteus, presenting a mean intensity of 7.04 parasites/fish and prevalence of 94%. A richness of 10 parasite taxa were recorded, taxonomically classified into the following groups: Monogenea (n=1), Digenea (n=2) and Nematoda (n=7). The parasite community of T. argenteus was composed of helminth species with low prevalence, low mean intensity, low mean abundance, low dominance and low diversity, predominance of endoparasites of the phylum Nematoda. As for the importance value, six species were considered secondary and showed an aggregated dispersion pattern. The host size influenced significantly the abundance of Creptrotrema sp. and the prevalence of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) hilarii. The results present new reports of parasites have been recorded for this host, thus expanding the ecological interactions between parasites and Characiformes fish and contributing to the knowledge of the freshwater biodiversity from Brazilian Caatinga domain.

Characithecium spp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Astyanax bimaculatus (Characiformes: Characidae) in Northeast Brazil, with Description of a New Species.

PURPOSE: To date, seven species of Characithecium Mendonza-Franco, Reina and Torchin, 2009 (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) are valid, parasitizing mainly fishes of the family Characidae (Characiformes) in the Neotropical region. During a parasitological study of fishes in the Batateiras River and Carás stream, Ceará state, Brazil, two species of Characithecium were collected from the gills of Astyanax bimaculatus Linnaeus, 1758 (Characidae). The purpose of the present study is to describe a new species of monogenean of the genus Characithecium and report Characithecium costaricensis Mendoza-Franco, Reina and Torchin, 2009 in A. bimaculatus, in Brazil. METHODS: Monogeneans were isolated from the gills and stored in 70% ethanol, mounted in Gray and Wess' medium or and in a mixture of glycerin ammonium picrate (GAP) to study sclerotized structures. Morphological analyses were performed with a computerized image analysis system with differential interference contrast (DIC). The drawings were obtained with the aid of a camera lucida mounted on a Leica DMLS microscope. RESULTS: Characithecium bifurcuprolatum n. sp. differs from its congenerics by the morphology of the accessory piece having a ventral unit articulated to cirrus base, a non-articulated dorsal and mid-ventral, and a sclerotized vaginal vestibule. Characithecium costaricensis was described from Astyanax aeneus (Günther, 1860) (Characidae) in Central America, and the present finding represents a new geographical and host records in Brazil. Furthermore, we observed the presence of a membrane at the base of the cirrus not mentioned in the original description. CONCLUSION: Our findings increase to eight the number of known species of the genus Characithecium parasitizing characids in neotropics. We verified some additional characteristics present in the two species studied, such as the presence of a membrane at the base of the cirrus, an accessory piece with two subunits (an articulated ventral and a dorsal non-articulated) and the presence of sclerotized vaginal vestibule.

Three New Species of Cosmetocleithrum (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) Gill Parasites of Trachelyopterus galeatus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) in Southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To describe three new species of Cosmetocleithrum in the gills of Trachelyopterus galeatus (Siluriformes, Auchenipteridae) from Aguapeí River, Upper Paraná River basin, São Paulo State, Brazil. METHODS: Fifty-three specimens of T. galeatus were captured in the mouth of the Aguapeí River from August 2013 to June 2014. Monogeneans were mounted unstained in Hoyer's and Gray and Wess's medium. RESULTS: Cosmetocleithrum spathulatum sp. n., Cosmetocleithrum baculum sp. n., and Cosmetocleithrum galeatum sp. n. differ from all known congeneric species mainly in the morphology of the accessory piece (i.e. spatulate-shaped, claviform, and a straight rod with hook-shaped distal portion, respectively). Also, the three new species share hooks with different sizes with hooks pairs 5 and 7 bigger than others and with an erect delicate point, inconspicuous thumb, longer shaft, and slender shank. CONCLUSIONS: To date, 18 species of Cosmetocleithrum were recognised parasitizing siluriforms in the Neotropical region. The present study expands the number to 21 species, however, despite this increase, the number of known taxa of monogeneans in neotropics is far from representing the ideal situation.

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.

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.

How does host ecology influence sampling effort in parasite diversity estimates? A case study using Neotropical freshwater fishes.

Accurately estimating biodiversity is fundamental to ecological understanding and prediction. Helminthes are often neglected in biodiversity estimates and when included are often underestimated. Here we examine how sampling effort affects estimates of parasite diversity in an assemblage of freshwater fish from a floodplain in Brazil. We also examine how ecological and behavioral factors influence the sampling effort necessary to accurately estimate the parasite diversity associated with a fish species. We use our dataset to suggest that host species with wide geographic distribution (i.e., long migrations), gregarious behavior (i.e., shoal), larger body size, higher population density, wide diet breadth (i.e., omnivorous), and autochthonous origin, increase the effort necessary to estimate the total diversity of parasites. However, estimating this parasitic fauna has several restrictions and limitations, due to the highly complex of the floodplain ecosystems, with non-linear and non-random responses.

Ecological implications of floods on the parasite communities of two freshwater catfishes in a Neotropical floodplain.

The parasite communities of two freshwater catfishes (Auchenipterus osteomystax and Trachelyopterus galeatus) were analyzed during the dry and rainy seasons in a Neotropical floodplain. The nature of river-floodplain systems places specific demands on parasite community structure, due to changes in the host environment. It was therefore hypothesized that flood conditions lead to an increase in the richness and abundance of fish parasites in the rainy season at the mouth of Aguapeí River floodplain. The Auchenipterus osteomystax parasite community was richer (11 vs. eight) in species than T. galeatus, although the latter exhibited a greater parasite burden (F1,108 = 126.99, P<0.0001). During the rainy season both host species demonstrated high levels of parasitism (least squared means ± SE = 1.69 ± 0.05 vs. 1.34 ± 0.05; F1,108 = 21.45, P<0.0001). Differences were found in the composition of the parasite species and the proportion of parasites for each host species and between each seasonal period. Flood conditions during the rainy season caused a change in the composition and structure of the parasitic communities. The results corroborate the hypothesis that floods are one of the most significant influences on shaping the parasite communities of fish in floodplains. Our greatest concern is the reduction these dynamics and effects bring about on local biota and, consequently, in host-parasite interaction. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to warn environmental agencies and hydroelectric companies about the importance of the conservation of the diversity of this location.

Parasitism by Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) metacercariae in the eyes of Steindachnerina insculpta (Characiformes, Curimatidae).

New occurrences and effects of parasitism by metacercariae in fish eyes have recently been discussed in many studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the infection levels of the eye flukes Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum Dubois, 1936 (metacercariae) in Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernádez-Yépez, 1948) from three ecosystems under the influence of the Jurumirim reservoir (Paranapanema, Taquari and Veados Rivers). A total of 174 fish specimens were sampled between April 2011 and April 2012. There were high levels of infection by S. musculosum metacercariae in the eyes of S. insculpta from all the sampled ecosystems, thus presenting broad geographical distribution. The histological analyses revealed that the metacercariae were apparently lodged behind the retina. The smaller fish from the Taquari River were less parasitized by metacercariae than the adults. This pattern can be explained by the cumulative effect of parasitism, as demonstrated by the positive correlation between the abundance of metacercariae and fish body size.

Parasitism by Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) metacercariae in the eyes of Steindachnerina insculpta (Characiformes, Curimatidae) / Parasitismo por metacercárias de Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) nos olhos de Steindachnerina insculpta (Characiformes, Curimatidae)

New occurrences and effects of parasitism by metacercariae in fish eyes have recently been discussed in many studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the infection levels of the eye flukes Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum Dubois, 1936 (metacercariae) in Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernádez-Yépez, 1948) from three ecosystems under the influence of the Jurumirim reservoir (Paranapanema, Taquari and Veados Rivers). A total of 174 fish specimens were sampled between April 2011 and April 2012. There were high levels of infection by S. musculosum metacercariae in the eyes of S. insculpta from all the sampled ecosystems, thus presenting broad geographical distribution. The histological analyses revealed that the metacercariae were apparently lodged behind the retina. The smaller fish from the Taquari River were less parasitized by metacercariae than the adults. This pattern can be explained by the cumulative effect of parasitism, as demonstrated by the positive correlation between the abundance of metacercariae and fish body size.

Novas ocorrências e efeitos do parasitismo por metacercárias em olhos de peixe têm sido recentemente discutidas em muitos estudos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis de infecção dos vermes de olho Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum Dubois, 1936 (metacercárias) em Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernádez-Yépez, 1948) de três ecossistemas influenciados pelo reservatório de Jurumirim (Rios Paranapanema, Taquari e Veados). Um total de 174 espécimes de peixes foi amostrado de Abril/2011 a Abril/2012. Metacercárias de S. musculosum mostraram altos níveis de infecção nos olhos de S. insculpta em todos os ecossistemas amostrados apresentando ampla distribuição geográfica. As análises histológicas revelaram que, aparentemente, estas metacercárias estavam alojadas por trás da retina. Os peixes menores do rio Taquari estavam menos parasitados por metacercárias do que os adultos. Esse padrão pode ser explicado pelo efeito cumulativo de parasitismo, evidenciado pela correlação positiva entre a abundância de metacercárias e tamanho do corpo dos peixes.

Monogeneans (Dactylogyridae) parasitizing gills of Salminus hilarii from a Neotropical reservoir, Brazil / Monogenéticos (Dactylogyridae) parasitando brânquias de Salminus hilarii de uma represa Neotropical, Brasil

With the aim of creating an inventory of the metazoan gill parasites of Salminus hilarii in the Taquari River, state of São Paulo, Brazil, five species of monogeneans (Anacanthorus contortus, A. bicuspidatus, Annulotrematoides parisellei, Jainus iocensis and Tereancistrum arcuatus) are reported the first time for this host. A total of 28 fish were sampled quarterly between April 2011 and January 2012, with 10 hosts in a lentic ecosystem and 18 in a lotic ecosystem. Quantitative ecological descriptors (prevalence, intensity of infestation and abundance) were calculated for the purpose to comparing the two ecosystems sampled (lentic and lotic ecosystems). However, no quantitative difference between the lentic and lotic ecosystems was observed. The present study has made available a checklist for species of the genus Anacanthorus and their hosts and geographical distribution in the Neotropical region up to the present time.

Com o objetivo de inventariar os metazoários parasitos de brânquias de Salminus hilarii do rio Taquari, estado de São Paulo, Brasil, cinco espécies de monogenéticos (Anacanthorus contortus, A. bicuspidatus, Annulotrematoides parisellei, Jainus iocensis, e Tereancistrum arcuatus) foram registradas pela primeira vez para o presente hospedeiro. Um total de 28 peixes foi amostrado trimestralmente entre abril/2011 e janeiro/2012, com 10 hospedeiros no ecossistema lêntico e 18 no ecossistema lótico. Os descritores ecológicos quantitativos (prevalência, intensidade de infestação e abundância) foram calculados com o objetivo de comparar os dois ecossistemas amostrados (ecossistema lêntico versus ecossistema lótico). No entanto, nenhuma diferença quantitativa desses foi verificada entre os ecossistemas lêntico e lótico. O presente estudo disponibiliza uma lista de espécies do gênero Anacanthorus, os hospedeiro e distribuição geográfica na região Neotropical até o presente momento.

Monogeneans (Dactylogyridae) parasitizing gills of Salminus hilarii from a Neotropical reservoir, Brazil.

With the aim of creating an inventory of the metazoan gill parasites of Salminus hilarii in the Taquari River, state of São Paulo, Brazil, five species of monogeneans (Anacanthorus contortus, A. bicuspidatus, Annulotrematoides parisellei, Jainus iocensis and Tereancistrum arcuatus) are reported the first time for this host. A total of 28 fish were sampled quarterly between April 2011 and January 2012, with 10 hosts in a lentic ecosystem and 18 in a lotic ecosystem. Quantitative ecological descriptors (prevalence, intensity of infestation and abundance) were calculated for the purpose to comparing the two ecosystems sampled (lentic and lotic ecosystems). However, no quantitative difference between the lentic and lotic ecosystems was observed. The present study has made available a checklist for species of the genus Anacanthorus and their hosts and geographical distribution in the Neotropical region up to the present time.

Endoparasites of Steindachinerina brevipinna ( Eigenmann andEigenmann, 1889 ), collected in the tributaries Corvo and Guairacáof Paranapanema river, Paraná State, Brazil / Endoparasitos de Steindachinerina brevipinna (Eigenmann e Eigenmann, 1889), coletados nos tributários Corvo e Guairacá do rio Paranapanema, Paraná, Brasil

Steindachnerina brevipinna is a freshwater fish from the Curimatidae family,and its occurrence is restricted to some South American countries (Argentina, Brazil,Paraguay and Uruguay), distributed in the Paraguay, lower and upper Paraná and lowerUruguay rivers. There are no parasitological studies related to this fish. The present studyrecords and illustrates a species of digenean, Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum fromsubfamily Diplostominae, present on the ovary and three species of nematodes,Cosmoxynema vianai Travassos, 1949, Travnema travnema Pereira, 1938, Spinoxyuris sp., ofsuperfamily Oxyuridea, parasitizing the intestine of S. brevipinna collected in the tributariesGuairacá and Corvo of the Paranapanema River, Parana State, Brazil.

Steindachnerina brevipinna é um peixe dulcícola da família Curimatidae e suaocorrência é restrita a alguns países da América do Sul (Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai eUruguai) e estão distribuídos nos rios Paraguai, baixo e alto Paraná e baixo Uruguai. Aindanão existem estudos parasitológicos relacionados a esse peixe. No presente trabalho foramregistrados e ilustrados uma espécie de digêneo, Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum Dubois,1936 da subfamília Diplostominae presente no ovário e três espécies de nematodas,Cosmoxynema vianai Travassos, 1949, Travnema travnema Pereira, 1938 e Spinoxyuris sp.,pertencentes à superfamília Oxyuridea localizados no intestino, para os espécimes de S.brevipinna coletados nos tributários Corvo e Guairacá do rio Paranapanema, Estado doParaná, Brasil.

The influence of parasitism on the relative condition factor ( Kn ) of Metynnis lippincottianus ( Characidae ) from two aquatic environments: the upper Parana river floodplain and Corvo and Guairacá rivers, Brazil / Influência do parasitismo sobre o fator de condição relativo (Kn) de Metynnis lippincottianus em dois ecossistemas aquáticos: planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná e rios Corvo e Guairacá, Brasil

The study analyzed 84 specimens of Metynnis lippincottianus (Cope, 1870) (Characidae) from two environments with different degrees of impact due to a hydroeletric plant; 44 hosts from the upper Parana river floodplain (low degree of impact) and 40 from Paranapanema tributaries (Corvo and Guairacá rivers, high degree of impact). The prevalence found, among the total collected fishes, was 77.4%. One digenetic species, Dadayus pacupeva, and four nematodes, Spinoxyuris oxydoras, Contracaecum sp. (larval stage), Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) mahnerti were identified. In the floodplain, the fishes parasitized by D. pacupeva and S. oxydoras presented better relative condition factor (Kn) than non-parasitized species. Positive correlation between Kn and abundance of these parasites was found in the same area. In the tributaries, the Kn did not differ significantly between parasitized an non-parasitized fishes, not even correlation with abundance of any parasite found.

Foram coletados 84 espécimes de Metynnis lippincottianus, peixe caracídeo, em dois ecossistemas com diferentes níveis de impacto, resultante da construção de usinas hidroelétricas; 44 hospedeiros na planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná (baixo impacto) e 40 nos tributários do rio Paranapanema (rios Corvo e Guairacá) com alto impacto. Foi encontrada prevalência parasitária de 77,4% no total de peixes coletados. Uma espécie de digenético: Dadayus pacupeva e quatro de nematoides: Spinoxyuris oxydoras, Contracaecum sp. (estágio larval), Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus e Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) mahnerti foram identificadas. Na região da planície, os peixes parasitados por D. pacupeva e S. oxydoras apresentaram melhor fator de condição relativo (Kn) quando comparado aos não-parasitados. Verificou-se correlação positiva entre o Kn e a abundância dos parasitos citados anteriormente na mesma região. Nos tributários, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o Kn dos peixes parasitados e não-parasitados, nem correlação do mesmo com a abundância de nenhum parasito encontrado.

Study of the gastrointestinal parasites in felines from Itaipu Binacional wild animal nursery, Brazil / Estudo dos parasitas gastrointestinais em felinos do berçário de animais selvagens da Itaipu Binacional, Brasil / Estudio de parásito gastrointestinales en felinos del vivero de animales silvestres en Itaipu Binacional, Brasil

The felines are animals that have great importance for the ecosystem, because they do the control of several species, like small mammals, birds, insects and so on. These predators have been threatened due to the destruction of their habitats and a way to preserve them is their breeding in captivities. This study aims to discover what kinds of intestinal parasites infected the felines (Leopardus pardalis, L. wiedii, L. tigrinus, Herpailurus yagouarondi, Panthera onca) of the Itaipu Binacional wild animal nursery (CASIB). Two methods were processed in the feline’s faecal samples: Sedimentation (HPJ) and Rithie. Among the forty-two felines’ enclosures analyzed, 38.09% (16/42) were positive and 61.90% (26/42) negative for intestinal parasites. The genus of parasites found were: Isospora, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Toxoplasma (like oocysts), Taenia, Toxoascaris and Spirometra, in spite of the control of hygiene in the company. This can be due to the visit of intermediate hosts infected in the felines’ enclosures.

Os felinos são animais de grande importância para o ecossistema, pois realizam o controle populacional de diversas espécies, tais como pequenos mamíferos, pássaros, insetos entre outros. Estes predadores tem sido ameaçados devido à destruição de seus habitats e uma maneira de preservá-los é sua criação em cativeiros. O objetivo deste estudo foi descobrir que espécies de parasitos intestinais infectam os felinos (Leopardus pardalis, L. wiedii, L. tigrinus, Herpailurus yagouarondi, Panthera onca) do criadouro de animais silvestres da Itaipu Binacional (CASIB). As amostras fecais dos felinos foram analisadas por dois métodos: Sedimentação (HPJ) e Rithie. Dos quarenta e dois recintos de felinos analisados, 38.09% (16/42) estavam positivos e 61.90% (26/42) negativos para parasitos intestinais. Os gêneros dos parasitos encontrados foram: Isospora, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Toxoplasma (oocistos semelhantes), Taenia, Toxoascaris e Spirometra, apesar do controle de higiene realizado pela empresa. Este parasitismo possivelmente está relacionado à visita de hospedeiros intermediários infectados nos recintos dos felinos.

Los felinos son animales de gran importancia para el ecosistema, pues realizan el control de población de diversas especies, tales como pequeños mamíferos, aves, insectos y otros. Estos depredadores han sido amenazados debido a la destrucción de su hábitat y una forma de preservarlos es su creación en cautiverios. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo descubrir qué especies de parásitos intestinales infectan a los felinos (Leopardus pardalis, L. wiedii, L. tigrinus, Herpailurus yagouarondi, Panthera onca), del vivero de animales silvestres en Itaipu Binacional (CASIB). Las muestras de heces de felinos fueron examinadas por dos métodos: Sedimentación (HPJ) y Rithie. De los cuarenta y dos lugares del cautiverio analizados, 38,09% (16/42) estaban positivas y 61,90% (26/42) negativos para parásitos intestinales. Los géneros de parásitos encontrados fueron: Isospora, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Toxoplasma (ooquistes similares), Taenia, Toxoascaris y Spirometra, a pesar del control de higiene realizado por la empresa. Este parasitismo posiblemente está relacionado con la visita de huéspedes intermediarios infectados en los recintos de los felinos.

Novas ocorrências de metacercária de Austrodiplostomum compactum (Lutz, 1928) (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) parasito de olhos de peixes da Bacia do Rio Paraná / New occurrences of metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Lutz, 1928) (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) eye flukes of fish from the Paraná Basin

Austrodiplostomum compactum (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) parasita os olhos de várias de espécies de peixes. A presença deste parasito, em casos extremos, pode causar exoftalmia, deslocamento da retina, opacidade do cristalino e cegueira ou até a morte. O presente estudo registra novas ocorrências desta metacercária infectando os olhos de quatro novos hospedeiros de peixes, Serrasalmus maculatus coletado no reservatório de Rosana no rio Paranapanema e Hypostomus regani, Schizodon borellii e Auchenipterus osteomystax coletados na planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná.

Austrodiplostomum compactum (Platyhelminthes, Digenea) eye flukes of several species of fishes. The presence of this parasite, in extreme cases, can cause swelling of the eyelids, displacement of the retina, opacity of the crystalline lens and blindness or even death. The present study it registers new occurrences of this metacercariae infecting the eyes of four new hosts of fish, Serrasalmus maculatus collected in the Rosana reservoir in the Paranapanema river and Hypostomus regani, Schizodon borellii and Auchenipterus osteomystax collected in the the Upper Paraná River floodplain.

[New occurrences of metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Lutz, 1928) (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) eye flukes of fish from the Paraná Basin]. / Novas ocorrências de metacercária de Austrodiplostomum compactum (Lutx, 1928) (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) parasito de olhos de peixes da Bacia do Rio Paraná.

Austrodiplostomum compactum (Platyhelminthes, Digenea) eye flukes of several species of fishes. The presence of this parasite, in extreme cases, can cause swelling of the eyelids, displacement of the retina, opacity of the crystalline lens and blindness or even death. The present study it registers new occurrences of this metacercariae infecting the eyes of four new hosts of fish, Serrasalmus maculatus collected in the Rosana reservoir in the Paranapanema river and Hypostomus regani, Schizodon borellii and Auchenipterus osteomystax collected in the the Upper Paraná River floodplain.