The helminth community ofGeophagus proximus(Perciformes: Cichlidae) from a tributary of the Paraná River, Ilha Solteira Reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the helminth parasites ofGeophagus proximusfrom the São José dos Dourados River, a tributary of Paraná River, Ilha Solteira Reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil. From May 2006 to May 2007, 116G. proximusspecimens were examined and seven different taxa of helminth were collected and identified: proteocephalidean plerocercoids (Cestoda); metacercariae ofAustrodiplostomumcompactum, Clinostomum heluansandClinostomumsp. (Trematoda); andRaphidascaris(Sprentascaris)hypostomi, and larvae ofRaphidascarissp. andContracaecumsp. (Nematoda). All parasites presented the typical aggregated pattern of distribution, as well as the presence of a high number of larval stages, an absence of influence of the host sex and seasonality upon community parameters, as well as a correlation between species richness and host body weight. Moreover, with the exception ofA. compactummetacercariae, all helminths found in this study are reported for the first time inG. proximus.