Caracterização Morfológica e Molecular de Endoparasitos de Hoplias Affinis Malabaricus Bloch, 1974 (CHARACIFORMES: ERYTHRINIDAE) Provenientes do Rio Araguaia, Tocantins, Brasil.

Abstract

The fish parasites imply risk of zoonosis and endanger the health of the animals. Aiming to evaluate the parasite indexes, the morphological characteristics of the parasites and the occurrence of nematodes in Hoplias aff. malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) arising from the Araguaia River, in Tocantins State, 50 samples were taken from January to March 2012 and the parasites were diagnosed by morphological characterization and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction). 36 parasites from the gills, fins, skin, muscle and intestine were detected, of which, prevalence data (P), mean intensity (MI) and mean abundance (MA) were determined registering four taxa: Eustrongylides tubifex (Nematoda) Railliet 1915; metacercariae Ithyoclinostomum dimorphum Diesing, 1850 (Digenea); Sebekia oxycephala, (Pentastomida) Diesing, 1835 and Acantocephala (unidentified cystacanthus). Due to the general similarity between parasites, PCR technique was used for greater accuracy when identifying the Eustrongylides genus, zoonotic parasite, which resulted in the confirmation of the genus. We conclude that traíras of Araguaia River are infected by parasites, Eustrongylides standing out, endangering the population, which shows the need to establish preventive measures to parasites from fish.