Community structure of helminth parasites of Leptodactylus bufonius (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from northeastern Argentina.

HAMANN, MONIKA I.; KEHR, ARTURO I.; GONZÁLEZ CYNTHYA E.

ZOOLOGICAL STUDIES

ACAD SINICA INST ZOOLOGY

Lugar: Taiwan; Año: 2012

1021-5506

Abstract. The main goals of this study were to determine the richness and diversity of helminth parasites of Leptodactylus bufonius at the component and infracommunity levels and to evaluate whether the composition of the parasite community is determined by biotic and abiotic factors. A total of 76 specimens were collected near the city of Corrientes, Province of Corrientes in Argentina. The helminth component community in L. bufonius in this area comprised a total of 16 species. The predominant groups of helminth parasites (larval and adult) were trematodes (50%) followed by nematodes (38%); other groups of parasites were represented by only one species (Cestoda: Cylindrotaenia sp. and Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchus sp.). Helminth species showed unequal abundance with typical aggregated pattern of distribution. Prevalence of infection was 93% in the specimens of L. bufonius examined. The main helminth species in the community was Aplectana hylambatis (Importance value: I = 96.41) followed by Catadiscus inopinatus (I = 2.32). At infracommunity level, mean individual species richness was no more than three helminth species per infected host; diversity and equitability of helminths were 0.18 ± 0.14, and 0.44 ± 0.32, respectively. Host body size was the main factor in determining infrapopulation structure of various helminth species. Species richness was significantly and positively correlated with host body size. Data revealed significant positive correlations between helminth species (C. inopinatus/Centrorhynchus sp. and A. hylambatis/Centrorhynchus sp.). Significant negative correlation was observed between A. hylambatis and C. podicipinus. Only two associations were found among the seven species considered. The parasite community of L. bufonius shows wide variation in its helminth fauna and include helminths of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The correspondence between host habits and parasite biology is reflected in the parasite harboured in these amphibian hosts.