FLORICEPS-SACCATUS PLEROCERCI (TRYPANORHYNCHA, LACISTORHYNCHIDAE) AS PARASITES OF DOLPHIN FISH (CORYPHAENA-HIPPURUS L.) AND POMPANO DOLPHIN(CORYPHAENA-EQUISELIS L.) IN WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND EASTERN ATLANTIC WATERS - ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

A study of the plerocerci of Floriceps saccatus from the abdominal cav ity of dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) and pompano dolphin (Corypha ena equiselis) was conducted. In all, 565 dolphin fishes were collecte d from Majorcan waters (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean) durin g 3 summer and autumn seasons (1990, 1991, and 1995). From the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic), 41 specimens of dolphin fish were caught d uring 1994 and 49 specimens of pompano dolphin during 1995. Cysts of d ifferent shapes and sizes appeared in the conjunctive tissues of the a bdomen and viscera, mainly in the liver, gonads, and pancreas. A larva was found inside every cyst examined. Small, medium size, and large l arvae were found. The largest larvae correspond to Floriceps saccatus plerocercoids. Stomach contents indicated that crustaceans and fish la rvae were the main prey items of juvenile C. hippurus, whereas teleost s and cephalopods were the only food found in adult dolphin fishes. In fection of F. saccatus plerocercoids takes place in preadult dolphin f ishes. Prevalence increases as fishes grow and change to a diet of tel eosts. Coryphaena equiselis was not infected.