Evaluation of the biodiversity of helminths parasites of Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1837 (Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) in the periods of flood and drought at Aguapeí River, São Paulo State, Brazil

• Grant number: 15/02768-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo José da Silva
• Grantee: Rodrigo Bravin Narciso
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fishes show a great diversity of associated parasites, with records of distinct phyla, raging from representatives of Platyhelminthes to groups more derived phylogenetically like Arthropoda and Nematodes. However, little is known about the diversity of Neotropical freshwater fish parasites because just a few fish species have been assessed regarding the characterization of their associated parasite fauna. In recent years, the studies on fish parasites have been renewed due to the economic importance, especially for farmed fishes, and also due to the fact that parasites are indicators of several biological aspects of their hosts. Additionally, parasites are important tools to assess ecosystems, because they can be used as indicators of either natural or anthropogenic disturbances. This way, it is necessary more studies aiming to characterize the diversity of fish parasites in the Neotropical region, as well as to evaluate biotic and abiotic interactions for a better comprehension of the natural dispersion processes of these organisms, and what are their implications in the dynamics of ecosystems. The aim of this study is the quali and quantitative characterization of the helminth parasites of Serrasalmus marginatus sampled in the Aguapeí River, Conservation Unit Aguapeí River Mouth, São Paulo State, Brazil, and the evaluation of the structure of the parasites communities related to environmental variations, such as the rainy and dry season, and also of the aspects related to the biology of the hosts.