Me. Oliva et al., PARASITES OF THE FLATFISH PARALICHTHYS-ADSPERSUS (STEINDACHNER, 1867)(PLEURONECTIFORMES) FROM NORTHERN CHILE, Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 91(3), 1996, pp. 301-306
Three species of protistan and 22 species of metazoan parasites were o
btained from a sample of 179 flatfish, (Paralichthys adspersus) taken-
off Antofagasta, northern Chile. Prevalence of infection of seven para
sites (Protista: 1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 1, Acantocephala: 1, Nematod
a: 2) was significantly and positively correlated with host size. Host
's sex do not seem to affect prevalence of infection, except for Nybel
inia surmenicola, Capillaria sp. and Anisakis sp. (prevalence of infec
tion significantly greater in males than females) and Philometra sp. (
prevalence higher in females). Mean abundance is correlated with size
in nine species (Protista: 1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 3, Acantocephala:
1, Nematoda: 2). Host's sex do not affect mean abundance, except for C
ainocreadium sp. and Philometra sp.(mean abundance higher in females)
and Nybelinia surmenicola, Capillaria sp. and Anisakis sp. (mean abund
ance higher in males).