Myxosporids and nematodes in Hemiodopsis microlepis (Teleostei: Hemiodontidae) of the Gurguéia River, Bom Jesus-Piauí, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to carry out an ichthyoparasitological study on the species <em>Hemiodopsis microlepis</em> (archerfish) of the Gurguéia River, located in Bom Jesus- Piauí, Brazil. Thirty specimens of <em>Hemiodopsis microlepis</em> were collected, which underwent an external morphological analysis and collection of small fragments of gills, liver, kidneys, and intestines to identify the parasites <em>Myxobolus</em> sp., <em>Henneguya</em> sp., and <em>Camallanus</em> sp., using an optical microscope (40X). About 90% of the examined fish were parasitized by myxosporids belonging to the Myxobolidae family, of which around 20% were parasitized by <em>Henneguya</em> sp., and 70% were parasitized by <em>Myxobolus</em> sp. Only 5% of the specimens parasitized by <em>Myxobolus</em> sp. were also parasitized by nematodes. The ichthyoparasitological study of the species Hemiodopsis microlepis confirmed the presence of the parasites <em>Myxobolus</em> sp. and <em>Henneguya</em> sp., as well as the nematodes of the species <em>Camallanus</em> sp.