Infection by anisakid nematodes contracaecum spp. in the Mayan cichlid fish 'Cichlasoma (Nandopsis)' urophthalmus (Gunther 1862).
Larval nematodes that parasitize the Mayan cichlid fish 'Cichlasoma (Nandopsis)' urophthalmus (Günther 1862) in southern Florida were identified as Contracaecum spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae, Anisakinae). The objective of this study was to determine whether infection intensity and prevalence of these parasites differ between a brackish water and freshwater habitat or through ontogeny in the freshwater habitat only. The nematodes were removed from the abdominal cavity of the fishes and counted. Infection intensity was compared between habitats using analysis of covariance and evaluated through ontogeny using Spearman rank order correlation. Prevalence was compared between habitats and between adults and juveniles from the freshwater habitat using a z-test. Although infection intensity did not differ between habitats, infection prevalence was greater at the freshwater site (FWS). Both the prevalence and intensity of nematode infection increased through ontogeny at the FWS, and no nematode was found in fishes that were smaller than 93 mm standard length. Thus, the parasites appear to accumulate during the lifetime of the fishes.
Bergmann
Gaddy T
GT
Department of Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, SCA 110, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA. gaddyfl25@yahoo.com
Motta
Philip J
PJ
D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000469:parasitology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000254:growth & development*; D023681:Cichlids / Q000469:parasitology*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005618:Fresh Water; D015995:Prevalence; D012623:Seawater