Parasite fauna of Geophagus brasiliensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in reservoirs of the Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

The feeding habits, comportment and geographical distribution of host are factors that may contribute to parasite faunas rich in species. For characterize de parasite fauna of Geophagus brasiliensis and know the host-parasite relationships were necropsied 64 fishes from nine reservoirs of the Paraná State (Brazil). For parasitological investigation, usual techniques in fish parasitology were utilized. Fifteen taxa were found with parasites of following groups: Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda, Nematoda and Acarina. All fishes were parasitized, and Sciadicleithrum frequens was the most frequent and the most abundant parasite. The first register of cestodes of the order Caryophyllidae was realized in fishes in Brazil and in cichlids. In general, prevalence and abundance of parasites were not associated with host gender. Digenea 1 and Contracaecum sp. there were significant correlation between the prevalence and the standard host length. Sciadicleithrum frequens, Ancyrocephalinae gen. sp. 1, Digenea 1, Echinostomatidae gen. sp. and P. (Procamallanus) peraccuratus there were significant correlation between the abundance and the standard host length. The parasite fauna of G. brasiliensis indicates an intermediate position of this fish in trophic chain.