CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Thiscontribution forms part of a PhD study on parasites of Siluriformes fishes fromrivers of the Pastaza Province in the Amazon region of Ecuador. In this area arural and peri-urban population depends on fishing as an important source offood. The fish consumption levels are one of the highest in the world. The mainobjective is to make an initial contribution of parasites found fromLoricariidae fishes (Hypostomus oculeus.Hypostomus sp, and Ancystrus sp). These fishes are usuallycaught by artisanal fishermen in Puyo and Bobonaza rivers, and theirparasitological fauna is still unknown. Fishes were collected during two yearsalong the rain and short rainy seasons, fixed in 10% formalin and then transferredto 70% until their study for external and internal parasites. For each fish,musculature was also reviewed according to the protocol for search larvalstages of Gnathostoma (zoonotic inEcuador). At moment, eleven parasite species were identified. These included 2 Mixozoa morphotypes (Mixobolus sp from gills and external surface of the gut.), 3monogeneans from gills and skin surface (Unilatussp1, Unilatus sp.2, Demidospermus sp. and Phanerothecioides sp.), 3 trematodesfrom intestine belongs to the genera Saccocoelioidesand Crassicutis, one hirudinean fromthe mouth (Glossiphonidae) and one Isopod from body cavity (Riggia sp. ). All these species arecurrently being studied to determine its correct systematic identification