POPULATION-DYNAMICS OF METAMICROCOTYLA-MA CRACANTHA (MONOGENEA, MICROCOTYLIDAE) PARASITE OF MUGIL-CEPHALUS (PISCES, MUGILIDAE) IN THE CENTRAL PERUVIAN COAST

Infestation by the monogenean Metamicrocotyla macracantha was studied from 1983 to 1986 in 584 fishes (Mugil cephalus) from the central Peru vian coast. Prevalence, abundance and mean intensity of infestation we re 60.88, 2.14 and 3.53, respectively. A total of 1 252 parasites were collected; they had an overdispersed distribution and a low degree of aggregation. Longer fishes were more heavily infested, bur sexes did not differ. The infestation showed no significant seasonal variations. The parasite preferred the first branchial pair. Because of an absenc e of drastic temperature changes, the central Peruvian coast is a favo rable environment for the continuity of the life cycle of M. macracant ha.