Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus (Osteichthyes: Prochilodontidae) from the Paraná River, Brazil.

Abstract

This work evaluated parasitic infections by Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus captured between August 2000 and August 2001 in the Paran&#xe1; River, Presidente Epit&#xe1;cio, S&#xe3;o Paulo, Brazil. Of 87 fishes examined, 59 were infected (25 males and 34 females). High mean intensities occurred in August 2000 (45.2, range 2-204), September 2000 (28.5, range 11-73), October 2000 (59.3, range 2-250) and February 2001 (27.3, range 3-73). There was no relationship of rainfall with mean intensity and prevalence. Males were more parasitized (P<0.05) than females. This work contributes to the knowledge of helminth parasites of fish from a little studied region of the Paran&#xe1; River, showing diversity in their fauna when compared to other places in the same river.