New host,geographical records, and some ecological aspect of Absonifibula bychowskyi Lawer et Overstreet,1976 (Monogenea Diclidophoridae) from estuarine areas of Argentina.

MARTORELLI, SERGIO R; SARDELLA, NORMA H; MARCOTEGUI, PAULA S

Acta Icthyologica et Piscatoria

the Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Rolniczej

Año: 2007 vol. 37 p. 1 - 6

0137-1592

Background: Monogenean parasites from mixohaline areas of the South Atlantic coast of Argentina are very poorly reported. The aim of this paper is report a new host and locality for Absonibfibula bychowschyi, a monogenean confined to fish living in estuarine areas. Some ecological considerations about the host-parasite relationship are also discussed. Material and Methods: Parasites collected from Micropogonias furnieri were studied using light microscopy and standard staining, manipulation and measuring techniques. Prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of parasites were calculated and related to host body size. Spearman´s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to determine possible correlations between host length, parasite intensity and prevalence. Results: Absonifibula bychowskyi (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) Lawler and Overstreet, 1976 is reported for the first time from the gills of the whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (Pisces: Sciaenidae) at Samborombón Bay, a mixohaline area in Buenos Aires Province, Southwest Atlantic Ocean. The parasite was found only in juveniles of M. furnieri that use Samborombón Bay as the main estuarine nursery ground areas. When croaker migrate seawards, A. bychowskyi disappeared from the gills may be related to the increased salinity..   Conclusions: This is the first record for Absonifibula bychowskyi  in the Southwest Atlantic and M. furnieri constitutes a new host record.  The presence of A. bychowskyi in M. furnieri  could be indicative of the origin of the fish.