Biological aspects of the life history of Confluaria podicipina (Cestoda, Hymenolepididae) from a hypersaline pampasic lagoon

GUAGLIARDO SE; TANZOLA RD; GIGOLA, G; GRAFF E

Panamerican Jorunal of Aquatic Sciences

PANAMJAS

Año: 2020 vol. 15 p. 54 - 63

The aim of the present study is to describe the larval stages and adults of Confluaria podicipina, parasitizing the brine shrimp Artemia persimilis and the silvery grebe Podiceps occipitalis from the Epecuén lagoon, to analyze its seasonal variation as well as to assess the damage in the gut of the definitive host. The Epecuén lagoon is an endorheic basin being the southernmost body water of the Lagunas Encadenadas del Oeste. There is a great concentration of silvery grebes attracted by the high population density of A. pesimilis, a basic food item. The present study reports a new host and geographical localization of C. podicipina. Also confirms that the life history of this hymenolepidid occurs between the brine shrimp A. persimilis, as the intermediate host and P. occipitalis, as its final host in the lagoon. Confluaria podicipina cysticercoids are present both in spring and autumn in these ecosystem and probably the transmission occurs all along the year. However both the prevalence and mean abundance are higher in spring, so this season could be the optimal moment for transmission. Tapeworms attach deeply in the crypts of Lieberkuhn by the rostellum and suckers, and cause traumaticlesions in the intestinal wall.