Study of monogenetic parasites of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from Jacaré-Pepira river in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 17/00598-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Inland Water Fishery Resources
• Principal Investigator: Vanessa Doro Abdallah Kozlowiski
• Grantee: Lúcia Do Valle Fragoso
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Sagrado Coração (USC). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, the variety of animal and plant species is very extensive, making it one of the most diverse countries. In the last decades, Brazil has been highlighting itself as the country with the highest number of non-native fish introduced into its continental waters. Both species imported from other countries, such as Oreochromis niloticus tilapia (Linnaeus, 1758) are introduced. Among the different rivers in which tilapia was introduced is the Jacaré-Pepira river, which is one of the rivers that make up the Pantanal Paulista, which presents an ecosystem with characteristics similar to those of the Pantanal Mato-grossense, both in flora and fauna, in smaller territorial proportions, but the only environment of this type in the State of São Paulo. The introduction of exotics fishes can causes major changes in the composition of the local fauna and there is also the problem of the introduction of parasites and diseases. The knowledge about fish parasites is of particular interest in relation not only fish health but also understanding ecological problems. Even in fish farming, parasites can lead to epidemics and deaths resulting in economic crises. Based on this perspective the objective of the present project will be to study the monogenetics collected in this host aiming at the molecular and morphological analysis with the intention of increasing the knowledge of the aquatic biodiversity of the State of São Paulo. (AU)