Metazoan parasites of Hoplias aff. malabaricus, Trachelyopterus galeatus and Schizodon borellii (Osteichthyes) from the Protected Area and its main tributary, Brazil

A study of the parasite-host interactions was conducted in the protected area popularly known as the "Refúgio Biológico de Santa Helena" and its tributary, the São Francisco Falso River. For each of the three host species, Schizodon borellii, Hoplias aff. malabaricus, and Trachelyopterus galeatus, 30 fish were collected from 2018 to 2019. A total of 2172 parasites were identified among the three host species. Among these, the Monogenea class had the highest number of species, with 26 taxa, followed by Copepoda with eight taxa, Digenea with six taxa, and Cestoda and Nematoda with one taxon each. Eleven new records of infection/infestation were found among the host species such as Urocleidoides paradoxus, Urocleidoides ramentacuminatus, Rhinoxenus arietinus, Mymarothecioides sp. (Monogenea), Ergasilus cf. bryconis, Lernaea devastatrix, and Brasergasilus sp. (Copepoda) parasitizing S. borellii. Trinigyrus sp., Vancleaveus sp. (Monogenea), Gamispinus diabolicus (Copepoda) present in T. galeatus, and Gamidactylus jaraquensis (Copepoda) present in H. aff. malabaricus. This study contributes to the record of parasite species occurrence in the vicinity of a protected area and helps fill gaps in the knowledge of fish parasitic fauna in the Neotropical region.

Identifying fish eggs and larvae: from classic methodologies to DNA metabarcoding

Studies involving fish eggs and larvae date back to the end of the nineteenth century. Since then, studies with ichthyoplankton have proved to be an essential tool, generating information for the knowledge of the ichthyofauna and the environmental inventory. Most of these studies reveal the difficulty of obtaining a precise taxonomic identification of the collected materials, making research with ichthyoplankton extremely challenging. With the advent of molecular biology, the use of markers such as COI enabled greater taxonomic precision, helping to understand events involving ichthyofauna. Now we can observe the evolution of the molecular identification tool for ichthyoplankton via DNA barcoding, which has been increasingly used over the last few decades. From 2000 to 2010, we found six publications; from 2011 to 2021, 75 papers were published, and in 2022 four studies. Our survey also showed the accuracy of molecular identification when compared to the taxonomic identification of these. In this review, we show the state of the art of studies that used barcode and DNA metabarcoding to identify fish eggs and larvae in different environments and discuss their importance as the best practice for working with these organisms.

Ichthyofauna of Santa Helena Relevant Ecological Interest Area (REIA), Paraná, Brazil

Abstract The Relevant Ecological Interest Area (REIA), popularly known as “Refúgio Biológico de Santa Helena”, is part of the Atlantic Forest Biome and one of the 78 ecoregions mapped by IBAMA as basic unit for planning priorities focused on national biodiversity conservation. Quarterly collections were carried out from November 2017 to November 2019 to inventory the ichthyofauna of this Conservation Unit. Specimens were captured with the aid of gillnets, fishing sieve and seine. In total, 3,919 specimens belonging to two class, eight orders, 27 families and 74 species were sampled. Characiformes and Siluriformes presented the highest species richness; they accounted for 40 (54%) and 17 (23%) species, respectively. Geophagus sveni (181 individuals = 17%), Trachelyopterus galeatus (109 individuals = 10%) and Schizodon borellii (105 individuals = 10%) were the most abundant fish species captured with gillnet. Moenkhausia was the most abundant genus captured with seine and fishing sieve, with emphasis on species Moenkhausia bonita (930 individuals = 33%) and Moenkhausia gracilima (845 individuals = 30%). Moreover, two “endangered” species (Brycon orbignyanus and Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) were registered. Therefore, we present an updated inventory of species belonging to the ichthyofauna of REIA, and it may contribute to future management plans focused on this Conservation Unit.

Species richness and functional structure of fish assemblages in three freshwater habitats: effects of environmental factors and management

In this study, the inverted trophic hypothesis was tested in the freshwater fish communities of a reservoir. The distribution of fish species in three freshwater habitats in the Jurumirim Reservoir, Brazil, was examined using both species richness and the relative proportions of different trophic groups. These groups were used as a proxy for functional structure in an attempt to test the ability of these measures to assess fish diversity. Assemblage structures were first described using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). The influence of environmental conditions for multiple fish assemblage response variables (richness, total abundance and abundance per trophic group) was tested using generalised linear mixed models (GLMM). The metric typically employed to describe diversity; that is, species richness, was not related to environmental conditions. However, absolute species abundance was relatively well explained with up to 54% of the variation in the observed data accounted for. Differences in the dominance of trophic groups were most apparent in response to the presence of introduced fish species: the iliophagous and piscivorous trophic groups were positively associated, while detritivores and herbivores were negatively associated, with the alien species. This suggests that monitoring functional diversity might be more valuable than species diversity for assessing effects of disturbances and managements policies on the fish community.

Karyotype Diversity and Evolutionary Trends in Armored Catfish Species of the Genus Harttia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Most species of the genus Harttia inhabits the headwaters of small tributaries, but some species are restricted to the main channel of some rivers. This feature, combined with limited dispersal ability, leads to the formation of small isolated populations with reduced gene flow. Currently, there are 23 taxonomically defined and recognized species, and 17 of these are found in Brazil, distributed in several hydrographic basins. Despite this diversity, few chromosomal data for the species belonging to this genus are found in the literature. Thus, this study analyzed, by classical and molecular cytogenetics methodologies, the chromosomal diversity of this genus, to discuss the processes that are involved in the evolution and karyotype differentiation of the species of the group. Seven species of Harttia were analyzed: H. kronei, H. longipinna, H. gracilis, H. punctata, H. loricariformis, H. torrenticola, and H. carvalhoi. The chromosomal diversity found in these species includes different diploid and fundamental numbers, distinct distribution of several repetitive sequences, the presence of supernumerary chromosomes in H. longipinna and multiple sex chromosome systems of the type XX/XY1Y2 in H. carvalhoi and X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y in H. punctata. Lastly, our data highlight the genus Harttia as an excellent model for evolutionary studies.

Philocorydoras longus sp. n. (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae) from the gills of Hoplosternum littorale (Siluriformes, Callichthyidae) in Southeastern Brazil and the reassignment of two species from the genus Urocleidoides to Philocorydoras

Philocorydoras longus sp. n. (Dactylogryridae) is described from the gills of the freshwater fish Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock, 1828) (Callichthyidae) from Jurumirim reservoir, Upper Paranapanema River, São Paulo State, Brazil. This new species belongs to the genus Philocorydoras mainly by possessing a curved cirrus accompanied by an accessory piece attached by a conspicuous filament. Philocorydoras longus sp. n. most resembles P. platensis, but differs by having delicate and smaller hooks, grooves in ventral and dorsal anchors, larger cirrus and accessory piece, and ventral bar with a long postero-medial process. Two species of the genus Urocleidoides (U. corydori Molnar, Hanek et Fernando, 1974 and U. margolisi Molnar, Hanek et Fernando, 1974) originally described from the gills of Corydoras aeneus (Gill, 1858) from Talparo River, Trinidad (near Brazil), were transferred to the genus Philocorydoras mostly by the absence of a sinistral vaginal sclerite (i. e., the primary characters of Urocleidoides) and counterclockwise cirral rings (i.e., curved tube, and tapered anteriorly in Philocorydoras). The new species is the fourth species assigned to the genus and the first recorded for Brazil.

Monogeneans (Dactylogyridae) parasitizing gills of Salminus hilarii from a Neotropical reservoir, Brazil

With the aim of creating an inventory of the metazoan gill parasites of Salminus hilarii in the Taquari River, state of São Paulo, Brazil, five species of monogeneans (Anacanthorus contortus, A. bicuspidatus, Annulotrematoides parisellei, Jainus iocensis and Tereancistrum arcuatus) are reported the first time for this host. A total of 28 fish were sampled quarterly between April 2011 and January 2012, with 10 hosts in a lentic ecosystem and 18 in a lotic ecosystem. Quantitative ecological descriptors (prevalence, intensity of infestation and abundance) were calculated for the purpose to comparing the two ecosystems sampled (lentic and lotic ecosystems). However, no quantitative difference between the lentic and lotic ecosystems was observed. The present study has made available a checklist for species of the genus Anacanthorus and their hosts and geographical distribution in the Neotropical region up to the present time.

Helminth fauna of Astyanax fasciatus Cuvier, 1819, in two distinct sites of the Taquari River, São Paulo State, Brazil

This study assessed the helminth fauna of Astyanax fasciatus in two distinct sites of the Taquari River, São Paulo State, with 30 individuals sampled in a lotic site and 30 in a lentic site, recording the monogeneans: Cacatuocotyle paranaensis, Characithecium costaricensis, Diaphorocleidus kabatai, Jainus sp., Notozothecium sp. and Gyrodactylus sp., the digenean Antorchis lintoni and no-identified metacercariae; the nematode Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and no-identified larvae. The mean abundances of total monogeneans (U = 1053; p = 0.042) and C. costaricensis (U = 1107; p = 0.005) were higher in the lotic site. This difference may be due to the higher density of the host population in the lotic site, and the water transparence in lentic environments that prevents A. fasciatus to form shoals, precluding the exchange of parasites with direct cycle within a host population. This study is the first report of the helminth fauna of A. fasciatus in the Taquari River, with ten taxa recorded, and reports A. fasciatus as a new host for Notozothecium sp. and C. paranaensis.

First record of an epibiont protozoan Epistylis sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) attached to Ergasilus chelangulatus (Ergasilidae) in Brazil

In the present paper, we described the first record of an epibiont protozoan Epistylis sp. Ehrenberg, 1830 (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) attached to Ergasilus chelangulatus Thatcher and Brasil-Sato, 2008, parasite of Pimelodus maculatus Lacépède, 1803 in Brazil, with electron microscope observations. Fish were collected in Veados River, state of São Paulo and the crustacean Ergasilus chelangulatus being registered for the first time in this river, expanding its geographical distribution in Brazil.

Parasitism by Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) metacercariae in the eyes of Steindachnerina insculpta (Characiformes, Curimatidae)

New occurrences and effects of parasitism by metacercariae in fish eyes have recently been discussed in many studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the infection levels of the eye flukes Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum Dubois, 1936 (metacercariae) in Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernádez-Yépez, 1948) from three ecosystems under the influence of the Jurumirim reservoir (Paranapanema, Taquari and Veados Rivers). A total of 174 fish specimens were sampled between April 2011 and April 2012. There were high levels of infection by S. musculosum metacercariae in the eyes of S. insculpta from all the sampled ecosystems, thus presenting broad geographical distribution. The histological analyses revealed that the metacercariae were apparently lodged behind the retina. The smaller fish from the Taquari River were less parasitized by metacercariae than the adults. This pattern can be explained by the cumulative effect of parasitism, as demonstrated by the positive correlation between the abundance of metacercariae and fish body size.

Helminths of Steindachnerina insculptain two distinct stretches of the Taquari River, state of São Paulo, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the helminth fauna of Steindachnerina insculpta in the Taquari River, a tributary of the Jurumirim reservoir in the state of São Paulo, and to investigate whether some helminth species may act as a bioindicator of environmental impact. The host fish sample was composed of 60 specimens, with 30 individuals sampled in a lotic stretch and 30 in a lentic stretch. The following were found: the monogeneans Anacanthoroides mizelli, Diaphorocleidus kabatai, Urocleidoides sp. and Euryhaliotrema chaoi; the digenean Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum and unidentified metacercariae; the nematode Travnema travnema and unidentified larvae; and the acanthocephalan Gorytocephalus plecostomorum. The total prevalence of monogeneans (z = 3.14; p = 0.002) and A. mizelli (z = 3.879; p ≤ 0.001), as well as the mean abundance of total monogeneans (U = 642.0; p ≤ 0.001) and A. mizelli (U = 623.5; p ≤ 0.001), were higher in the lentic stretch. Steindachnerina insculpta and its monogeneans comprise a potential group that could be used to investigate environmental impact, as demonstrated in this study.

Occurrence of Braga cigarra(Cymothoidae) parasitizing Galeocharax knerii (Characidae) from affluents of Jurumirim reservoir, Brazil

The occurrence of the cymothoidae Braga cigarra is reported parasitizing the oral cavity of freshwater fish Galeocharax knerii from Veados, Paranapanema and Taquari Rivers, affluent of the Jurumirim Reservoir, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil is reported. The isopod species were identified based on the multilaminar pleopods, narrow pleon and short pleotelson in females. The overall prevalences of isopods were 31.7%, 7.7% and 5.7%, respectively, in the Paranapanema, Veados and Taquari Rivers. This note contributes to the knowledge of the geographical distribution and fauna of parasite crustaceans known to date in these important ecosystems.

Actinopterygii, Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Loricariichthys platymetopon Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979: first record in Reservoir of Canoas II, Middle Paranapanema River, border of the states of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil

First record of the “cascudo”, Loricariichthys platymetopon Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 in Canoas II Reservoir (Middle Paranapanema River, border of the states of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil). Its occurrence is due to the flooding of Sete Quedas waterfall, as a result of the construction of Itaipu Reservoir. Furthermore, there is absence or low abundance of natural predators, like Salminus brasiliensis, since this species has difficulties to adapt or even survive in reservoirs.

Bronchoalveolar lavage findings in pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis

Bronchoalveolar fluid cytology from six progressive pulmonary paracoccidioidomycotic patients showed an alveolitis of neutrophilic pattern which was independent of the of the duration of the chronic fungal disease. The percentage of neutrophils in paracoccidioidomycotic alveolitis was higher than in other neutrophilic alveolitis conditions.