Parasitic fauna of four species of pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae) from southeastern México

Abstract

In southeastern Mexico, the Xpu, Sphoeroides testudineus, is a puffer fish that, despite its food potential, has not yet been commercially exploited.  Likewise,  other  pufferfishes  such  as Chilomycterus  schoepfii,  Diodon  holocanthus or   Sphoeroides   spengleri,   are   used   in   some   regions  as  ornamental  fishes  or  to  make  them into handicrafts. In this study we characterized the  diversity  of  parasites  affecting  these fishes  of  the  order  Tetraodontiformes,  which, although   they   currently   have   no   commercial   value  in  southeastern  Mexico,  are  intended  to  contribute  to  the  knowledge  of  the  diversity  of  their parasitic fauna. Samples of these fish were obtained  from  localities  in  the  southern  Gulf  of  Mexico  (Laguna  de  Términos,  Campeche)  and  the Mexican Caribbean (Holbox Island and Cabo Catoche). A total of 458 parasites, three digeneans (Xystretrum    solidum,    Stephanostomum    sp.    and     Lecithasteridae     sp.),     two     nematodes     (Hysterothylacium  sp.,  and  Cucullanus  sp.),  one  monogenean    (Heterobothrium    lamotei),    two    cestodes   (Tetraphyllidea   sp.,   Trypanorhyncha   sp.)  and  three  parasitic  crustaceans  (Argulus  flavescens,  Naobranchia  lizae  and  Rocinela signata). The most parasitized organs were the stomach,  intestine,  mesentery,  and  skin.  The  group  of  parasites  that  represented  the  highest  prevalence with 70% (Stephanostomum sp.) and Trypanorhyncha sp. with the highest abundance (1.46  ±  2.00  parasites/host).  For  the  parasites  found,  Laguna  de  Términos,  Holbox  Island  and  Cabo Catoche are reported as new geographical localities and C. schoepfii, D. holocanthus, S. spengleri  as  new  hosts.  From  a  parasitological  point of view, the consumption of these fishes could be carried out, as long as the separation of the  organs  is  done  carefully,  as  it  happens  with  another of their congeners in the Mexican Pacific (S. annulatus).