First morphological and molecular characterization of the genus Eustrongylides nematode larvae infecting fish in the Brazilian Amazon

Author(s)

Correa, Lincoln Lima ; Soares, Geusivam Barbosa ; Mueller, Maria Isabel ; Adriano, Edson Aparecido

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOLOGIA; v. 78, n. 10, p. 8-pg., 2023-05-08.

Abstract

While birds are the definitive hosts of nematodes of Eustrongylides spp., other vertebrates, such as fish, amphibians and reptiles, represent intermediate/paratenic hosts. Despite their zoonotic potential, however, the taxonomic characterization of the larval stages of fish parasitic nematodes in the Brazilian Amazon remains limited. The present study aims to describe the morphological and molecular characteristics of Eustrongylides sp. found parasitizing the musculature of Hoplia malabaricus from the Amazon Basin, in the region of Santarem, in the state of Para, Brazil. In addition to presenting a new geographic record, the present study morphologically and molecularly characterizes Eustrongylides sp. larvae in the Brazilian Amazon using the 18S ribosomal gene. As this nematode can be considered a potential emerging cause of disease, it is important to use molecular markers to improve diagnosis, in addition to describing new species and evaluating the genetic distribution of Eustrongylides populations in the Brazilian Amazon. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/17531-0 - Integrative taxonomy, phylogeny and coevolution of monogenoids (Platyhelminthes: Cercomeromorpha) parasites of Ariidae (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes) from Brazilian Coast
• Grantee: Geusivam Barbosa Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/22047-7 - Myxosporean parasites of commercially important Perciformes fish (Cichlaspp. and Plagioscion spp.) in the Amazon Basin
• Grantee: Edson Aparecido Adriano
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/16546-3 - Systematic and distribution of myxosporeans of Potamotrygonidae (Elasmobranchii, Myliobatiformes) in Amazon, Platina and Parnaíba river basins.
• Grantee: Maria Isabel Muller Formico
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral