Helminth fauna of two cyprinid fish (Campostoma ornatum and Codoma ornata) from the upper Piaxtla River, Northwestern Mexico

Abstract

Abstract The helminth parasite fauna of 2 species of freshwater fishes from the upper Piaxtla River in northwestern Mexico was studied. A total of 41 cyprinids, corresponding to 20 Campostoma ornatum and 21 Codoma ornata were analyzed. Six species of platyhelminths were recorded, including 2 species of monogeneans (Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp.), 3 species of digeneans (Posthodiplostomum minimum, Clinostomum complanatum, and Margotrema sp.), and 1 species of tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi). Helminth parasite infracommunities were depauperate, showed low richness and diversity values, and were dominated by 1 or 2 helminth species. This pattern is consistent with that observed for the helminth parasite communities in other freshwater fishes in central and northern Mexico.