The development of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Eoacanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in its intermediate host Cypridopsis vidua in Brazil

Abstract

AbstractThe family Neoechinorhynchidae includes seven species ofNeoechinorhynchusfrom freshwater fishes of Brazil. Although severalNeoechinorhynchusspecies are cited infecting different fish species in Brazil, there is a lack of information concerning to their life cycle and the identification of the intermediate hosts. Thus, the aim of the present study was to describe the development ofNeoechinorhynchus buttneraein its intermediate host collected in a fish farm located in Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas, Brazil. To verify the presence ofN. buttneraein the fish pond, twentyColossoma macropomumwere captured and analyzed, being corroborated the presence of this parasite species. Samples of plankton were also collected, finding the ostracodCypridopsis viduaas the intermediate host. For the description of the larvae development, a laboratory experimental procedure was conducted by feeding the collected ostracods with the eggs of the adult specimens taken from the sampled fish. To observe the stages of development an artificial hatch was performed. Every stage of development was photographed, measured, drawn and described. The time of development of the immature stages ofN. buttneraewas 29 days, reporting the stages: acanthor, acanthella (with eight developmental changes) and cystacanth. As high infections byN. buttneraecauses morphological damages to the intestine and may compromise the quality ofC. macropomumand in consequence the production of fish farmers in the Brazilian Amazon region, the knowledge of its intermediate host and the understanding of its life cycle represents a useful information to prevent and combat infections by this parasite.