Morphological aspects and histological effects of the attachment organ of Parabrachiella sp. (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) on the grey mullet Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836.

PLAUL SE; MONTES MM; BARBEITO CG; MARTORELLI SR

JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013 vol. 36 p. 853 - 859

0140-7775

The genus Parabrachiella Wilson, 1915 (Lernaeo- podidae) is represented by copepods that are highly adapted to a parasitic way of life. In Argen- tina, only P. insidiosa var. lageniformis Heller, 1865, P. chevreuxii Van Beneden, 1891 and P. spinicephala Ringuelet, 1945 have been cited, but none of these have been reported on mugilids. Recently, other species of this genus were found attached to the nasal cavities of juvenile grey mul- lets, Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836, from Sambo- rombon bay, Buenos Aires province. In this study, the prevalence and mean intensity of the Parabr- achiella sp. on grey mullet is investigated. In addi- tion, the damage the parasite imposes on its hosts is examined through evaluation of histological sec- tions and staining for proliferative cell nuclear antigenPCNA activity. The morphology of the parasite?s bulla is described from light and scan- ning electron micrographs.