PARASITE COMMUNITIES OF MERLUCCIUS-HUBBSI FROM THE ARGENTINEAN-URUGUAYAN COMMON FISHING ZONE

This study is based on parasitological examinations of 159 specimens o f Merluccius hubbsi (common hake) from the Argentinian-Uruguayan commo n fishing zone between June and December 1993. The examination extende d the list of parasite species previously known from this host in the study area to the following taxa: Anthocotyle merluccii van Beneden an d Hesse, 1863; Chondracanthus palpifer Wilson, 1912; Neobrachiella ins idiosa f. lageniformis Kabata, 1979; Trifur tortuosus Wilson, 1917; cy sts of unknown etiology in gills; Corynosoma spp.; Grillotia spp.; Hep atoxylon trichiuri Holten, 1802; Anisakis spp.; Pseudoterranova spp.; Contracaecum spp.; Hysterothylacium spp.; Microsporidium ovoideum Thel ohan, 1895; Elytrophalloides oatesi Leiper and Atkinson, 1914; Derogen es varicus Muller, 1784; Clestobothrium crassiceps Rudolphi, 1802; Sco lex polymorphus Muller, 1784; Gorgorhynchidae gen. spp.; Aporocotyle a rgentinensis Smith, 1969; Kudoa rosenbuschi (Gelormini) Szidat, 1966. The prevalence and intensity of infestation were calculated for each p arasite species as related to the body size and sex of the host. The d istribution pattern of parasites in hake was also analyzed. Parasite c ommunities of hake examined in the present paper comprises one group o f parasite species specific at host family, genus or species level, an d another belonging to the local fauna. Component and satellite parasi te species were also found.