INVASION OF TILAPIA-MOSSAMBICA (CICHLIDAE) VISCERA BY THE MONOGENEAN ENTEROGYRUS-CICHLIDARUM

The monopisthocotylean monogenean Enterogyrus cichlidarum, which norma lly inhabits the stomach and anterior intestinal lumina of tilapine ci chlids, invaded the internal organs of juvenile Mozambique tilapia (Ti lapia mossambica). Adult worms infected the intestinal mucosa, periton eal cavity, liver, heart, blood vessels, swim-bladder, and braincase. Most of the parasites were adults and contained eggs. Both adults and eggs incited a mononuclear inflammatory response. Infections were asso ciated with chronic morbidity and mortality. Although affected fishes were overcrowded, the precise stress responsible for such an unusually invasive event is unknown.