Condition factor of Astyanax intermedius Eigenmann, 1908 (OSTEICHTHYES, CHARACIDAE) parasitised by Paracymothoa astyanaxi Lemos de Castro, 1955 (CRUSTACEA, CYMOTHOIDAE) in the Grande River, Serra do Mar State Park - Santa Virgínia Unit, São Paulo, Brazil.
In this work the length-weight relationship and the condition factor of Astyanax intermedius parasitised and not by Paracymothoa astyanaxi were analysed in the Grande River. The length-weight relationship was estimated for females, males and immatures, and seasonally for the fishes and the parasites through the expression W = aLb. The condition factor of non-parasitised specimens differed seasonally and between sexes, contrasting with the results for parasitised fishes which showed no differences between sexes and season. The condition factor of non-parasitised specimens was higher than that of the parasitised fishes. Specimens of Astyanax intermedius parasitised do not have the same biotic conditions compared to non-parasitised individuals, in which the condition factor was similar over the years. In conclusion, parasitism by P. astyanaxi has deleterious effects on this host population which may cause changes in the reproductive and food dynamics of parasitised specimens due to low body conditions.
Department of Zoology, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. lmullergomiero@yahoo.com.br
L M
LM
Gomiero
U P
UP
Souza
F M S
FM
Braga
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D060126:Characidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D003445:Crustacea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045483:Rivers; D012621:Seasons