title: Outbreak ofNotozothecium bethae(Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) inMyleus schomburgkii(Actinopterygii: Characiformes) cultured in the Peruvian Amazon.
abstract: The presence ofNotozothecium bethaewas investigated in 76 black band myleus (Myleus schomburgkii[Actinopterygii: Charasiformes]) born and kept in captivity in two semi-intensive breeding cages in the northern region of Peru. Among the 76 cultivated specimens ofM. schomburgkiiexamined in the present study, 100 % had monogenean on the gill and the parasites were identified asNotozothecium bethae. During the survey no bacteria was isolated, and no protozoan or other metazoan parasites were found. The prevalence ofN. bethaeremained constant throughout the present study. Mean intensity ofN. bethaein the months of April and May was exceptionally high in both facilities. The massive infection ofN. bethaeon the gills ofM. schomburgkiiwas associated with mortality. This is the first report ofN. bethaeinM. schomburgkiiborn in captivity and cultured in the Amazon region. The mortality due the presence of this parasite emphasise the need for disease control strategies of culturedM. schomburgkii.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Biological Sciences, National University of the Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos, 468 Peru.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083-865 Brazil.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.affiliation: Department of Botanic, National Institute of Amazonian Research, Manaus, 69060-001 Brazil.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mathews
keywords: Aquaculture; Fish parasites; Monogenean; Myleus schomburgkii; Peruvian Amazon