Biodiversity of the helminths of Loricariidae fishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Sapucaí-Mirim River, Brazil

Abstract

The vast wealth of fish species reflects the major biodiversity of their respective parasites. However, it is estimated that only a small percentage of these parasitic species have been described. Few studies report the biodiversity of fish parasites in natural populations, in order to improve information about their geographical distribution, biology and structure of the parasite community. The limited knowledge about the biological aspects, biogeographic patterns of distribution and high morphological variability of Loricariidae fishes are factors that difficult the studies about biodiversity on this group, including the parasitic diversity of this fishes. The aim of this study is to survey the biodiversity of helminth parasites of fishes of family Loricariidae in an area under the influence of the construction of Small Hydro Power Plants (SHP) in Sapucaí-Mirim River, São Paulo State, Brazil, and to evaluate the structure of communities parasitic of the hosts evaluated. For two years, there will be two annual samples (dry/rainy), in eight sites situated between the SHP Palmeiras, Anhanguera and Retiro. Fifty specimens of each fish species will be collected, such as: Proloricaria prolixa, Hypostomus regani, Hypostomus ancistroides, Hypostomus albopunctatus, Hypostomus margaritifer, Hypostomus nigromaculatus, well as two species of the genus Hypostomus (Hypostomus sp. 1 and Hypostomus sp. 2) that are still in identification process, totaling 400 fishes. The parameters evaluated are: prevalence, mean abundance, mean intensity of infection, pattern of distribution of parasite species, dominance and diversity. Other analyzes and correlations can be made. The specimens will be photographed and the morphometry of the structures with systematically value will be obtained by a computerized image analysis. The necropsies and other procedures will be performed at the Laboratory of Wild Animal Parasitology at the Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Campus de Botucatu.