Norma Brugni

Metazoan Parasites of Galaxias maculatus (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) from Argentinean Patagonia

Abstract A checklist, based on bibliographical records and original data from an extensive survey, is presented for the metazoan parasites of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842) in Argentinean Patagonia. The checklist includes 33 metazoan parasite entries: 5 myxozoans, 12 digeneans, 2 monogeneans, 3 cestodes, 2 acanthocephalans, 7 nematodes, 1 copepod, and 1 bivalve. Gyrodactylus sp., Pomphorhynchus patagonicus Ortubay, Úbeda, Semenas and Kennedy, 1991, and Hysterothylacium patagonense Moravec, Urawa and Coria, 1997 are reported for the first time from G. maculatus in South America. Although this checklist enlarges the knowledge of G. maculatus parasites, a large portion of Patagonia remains unexplored, and many of its lakes and rivers have never been surveyed for parasites, especially in the southern part of the region.

A NEW HEDRURID SPECIES (NEMATODA) FROM GALAXIID FISHES IN PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA) AND INFECTION OF AMPHIPODS AS INTERMEDIATE HOST

Abstract During a parasite survey of galaxiid fishes (Galaxiidae) from Patagonian Andean lakes, a new species of nematode, Hedruris suttonae n. sp. was collected from the stomach of the native Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns) and G. platei (Steindachner). Specimens were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy, especially head morphology, female caudal prehensile structure, and distribution of spines. The new species is distinguished by body and tail size, morphology and size of spicules, the arrangement of caudal papillae in the male, the female caudal hook, and size of eggs. Hyalella patagonica (Ortmann), a Neotropical species of Amphipoda, is reported as its natural intermediate host. Data regarding prevalence and mean intensity in the intermediate and definitive hosts are included. The diet and habitat of the hosts, the percentage of gravid females, the high values of prevalence, and mean intensity in galaxiid fishes, as well as the wide distribution of H. suttonae, collectively indicate that, in these oligotrophic Andean lakes, G. maculatus and G. platei are true definitive hosts of this nematode.

Polylekithum percai n. sp. (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from Percichthys trucha (Perciformes: Percichthydae) in Patagonia, Argentina, and a redescription of Homalometron papilliferum (Szidat, 1956) n. comb

Two species of Digenea are recorded from the intestine of Percichthys trucha (Percichthydae) from Patagonian water bodies. Polylekithum percai n. sp. (Allocreadiidae) is distinguished by its body size, the relative size of the suckers, the anterior extension of the vitelline fields, the number of eggs in the uterus and the different species of fish host from the two previously described species of Polylekithum. Homalometron (= Austrocreadium) papilliferum (Szidat, 1956) n. comb. is redescribed. Due to its spined tegument and the absence of a cirrus-sac, this species is considered a member of the family Apocreadiidae.

Monitoreo de parásitos en efluentes domiciliarios

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la presencia de parasitos en efluentes semisolidos y liquidos en distintas localidades de la Patagonia argentina considerando que esta es una de las restricciones para su uso. METODOS: Las muestras tomadas en 4 Plantas de Tratamiento de Efluentes Domiciliarios se analizaron siguiendo las normativas de Environmental Protection Agency, Organizacion Mundial de la Salud, Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater y de algunas clasificaciones. RESULTADOS: Solamente 2 de las 6 muestras de semisolidos analizadas tenian huevos de Ascaris lumbricoides no viables. De las 10 muestras liquidas, solamente 2 no tenian huevos mientras las restantes tenian patogenos de las categorias I (Giardia sp., Hymenolepis diminuta y Enterobius vermicularis) y III (Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale y Trichuris trichiura). CONCLUSIONES: Todas las muestras de semisolidos analizadas fueron aptas para su uso como fertilizantes porque no se registro en ninguna de ellas la presencia de huevos viables de Ascaris lumbricoides y solamente 6 de las muestras liquidas fueron aptas para riego por carecer de huevos o por ser su concentracion igual o inferior a 1 huevo por litro.OBJECTIVE The evaluation of the presence of parasites in semisolid and liquid sewage in Argentinian Patagonia in view of the fact that this is a restriction for its use. METHODS The samples taken at 4 Domestic Sewage Plants were analyzed in accordance with Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organization and some other classifications. RESULTS Only 2 of 6 semisolid samples analyzed had non-viable Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. Of the 10 liquid samples analyzed, only 2 did not contain eggs whereas the remaining ones had pathogens of categories I (Giardia sp., Hymenolepis nana and Enterobius vermicularis) and III (Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichiura). CONCLUSIONS All semisolid samples turned out to be satisfactory for use as fertilizer as no viable Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were found in any of them. But only 6 of the liquid samples were satisfactory for use as they had no eggs or their concentrations was equal to or less than 1 egg per litre.

A NEW GENUS OF DACTYLOGYRID FROM THE GILLS OF GALAXIAS MACULATUS (OSMERIFORMES: GALAXIIDAE) IN MAULLIN BASIN, PATAGONIA, CHILE

During a parasitological survey of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842) in the Maullín Basin (Chilean Patagonia), specimens of a new species of Monogenea were collected from the gills. This species is described as the only member of a proposed new genus, Inserotrema n. gen. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae), characterized by similar hooks with 2 subunits, overlapping gonads, coiled cirrus with counterclockwise rings, articulated accessory piece formed by 2 parts, a needlelike sclerite threading the distal part of the MCO, and a sclerotized midventral vagina. This new genus is proposed for dactylogyrids from gills of galaxiids (Galaxiidae). Inserotrema puyei n. sp. infects gills of G. maculatus from Llanquihue Lake, Maullín River, and Maullín Estuary. This is the first species of Ancyrocephalinae described from gills of a galaxiid.

Catatropis hatcheri n. sp. (Digenea: Notocotylidae) from Heleobia hatcheri (Prosobranchia: Hydrobiidae) and notes on its life-cycle in Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Catatropis Oghner, 1905 from a freshwater Neotropical prosobranch snail, Heleobia hatcheri (Hydrobiidae), is described. Naturally infected snails were collected from Nahuel Huapí Lake in Andean Patagonia. The characteristics of the larval stages are also presented. Experimental adults were recovered from the distal region of the intestinal caeca of chicks and ducklings and natural adults from a wild duck Anas platyrhynchos. Adults of Catatropishatcheri n. sp. can be distinguished from all other species of the genus in having 10–12 (11) ventral glands in each lateral row, the cirrus-sac extending back to between the first third and the middle of the body, the metraterm shorter than the cirrus-sac, a previtelline field of 1,258–1,544 (1,396), vitelline follicles reach back to the anterior border of the testes with some follicles extending slightly lateral to them, only external testicular margin lobed and genital pore in median line just posterior to the intestinal bifurcation. In addition, the eggs have one filament on each pole, the rediae contain one or two mature cercariae, and the cercariae are tri-oculate, with a long tail and encyst in the environment.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FISH ASSEMBLAGES AND THE HELMINTH COMMUNITIES OF A PREY FISH, IN A GROUP OF SMALL SHALLOW LAKES

Abstract Galaxias maculatus (small puyen) is an abundant native fish distributed in lakes and rivers of the Patagonia, and it is the frequent prey of other fishes, fish-eating birds, and mammals. Previous studies have shown that it is parasitized by 33 metazoan species and that the richness and composition of the parasite communities vary between lakes. The aim of the present work was to analyze the relationship between the composition of fish assemblages and the helminth component community structure of G. maculatus. Ten environmentally similar, small, shallow lakes, belonging to the Nahuel Huapi Lake basin, were chosen because of the differences in the native fish assemblages. Parasite community structure in G. maculatus varied according to the fish assemblage of each lake. The presence of the piscivorous fish Percichthys trucha regularly produced variations in the composition and richness at the component and infracommunity levels, as well as the percentage of autogenic parasite species in G. maculatus.

Maritrema patagonica n. sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) cultured from Metacercariae from Freshwater Anomuran, Aegla spp. (Decapoda: Aeglidae), in Patagonia

ABSTRACT: A new microphallid digenean, Maritrema patagonica n. sp., is described from the freshwater anomuran crab, Aegla spp. Naturally infected anomuran individuals from lakes and rivers were collected in the northern region of Argentinean Patagonia. Experimental ovigerous specimens were recovered from the intestine of chicks and from in vitro culture. Adults of the new species can be distinguished by having a small body size, papillae distributed along the edge of the forebody, unspined cirrus, and a complete vitelline ring. This microphallid is the first larval digenean species to be reported from Aegla spp.

New Cystidicolid Species (Nematoda) From Galaxias platei (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) in Patagonian Freshwater Environments

During a parasitological survey of Galaxias platei Steindachner, 1898, from Patagonian Andean Lakes, a new species of Cystidicolidae was found in the stomach of fish. The new species was described using light and scanning electron microscopy; the species has characteristics of Ascarophis and is distinguishable from other species by a combination of the following features: well-developed pseudolabia with T-shaped inner extensions, bifurcate deirids, small ratio GE:ME, small left spicule, small ratio LS:RS, and larvigerous eggs with thick and fine filaments in both poles. Intraspecific variation in the morphology of larvigerous eggs was studied. This is the first species of Ascarophis described from freshwater fishes.

Allocreadium pichi n. sp. (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) in Galaxias maculatus (Osteichthyes: Galaxiidae) from Lake Moreno in Patagonia (Argentina)

Allocreadium pichi n. sp. (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) is described from the intestine of Galaxias maculatus (Osteichthyes: Galaxiidae) from Moreno Lake in Patagonia, `Argentina. This species is distinguished from A. patagonicum Shimazu, Urawa & Coria, 2000, the other species recorded in the area, by its smaller body size, the diagonal position of the testes and different ratios of the suckers, testes and cirrus-sac in relation to body size. In addition, the synonymy of A. patagonicum withPolylekithum percai Ostrowski de Núñez, Brugni & Viozzi, 2000 is proposed herein.