On the life cycle of Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda: Cucullanidaae) parasite of Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes) from its Southernmost distribution

CINTIA POGGI; GUAGLIARDO SE; SCHWERDT CB; TANZOLA RD; ANGELETTI B

Neotropical Helminthology

APHIA

Año: 2020 vol. 14 p. 207 - 215

Despite the ubiquity of Cucullanus spp. in aquatic ecosystems around the world, their embryonic and post-embryonic development, as well as transmission patterns, remain little known and in some cases controversial. In the present study comparative and embriological data of Cucullanus pinnai pinnai(Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928) are provided. Adults from Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Heptapteridae) are described and illustrated by scanning electronmicrophotography. Eggs were obtained from gravid females and embryonic and larval development was followed in vitro. The L2 and L3stages are described and illustrated for the first time. The embryonic development of C. pinnai pinnai goes very fast at 20-22ºC. In five days hatching takes place and the free L2remain alive less than two weeks. Aheteroxenic pattern of transmission is hypothesized involving R. quelen as definitive host and Bryconamericus iheringii(Boulenger, 1887) (Characidae) as the intermediate host.