Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex

The metazoan parasite fauna of Hippoglossina macrops (n = 123) from norther n Chile (30 degreesS) is quantitatively described for the first time, and t he role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were rec overed, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolid ae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nema toda). The copepod Holobomolochus chilensis, the monogenean Neoheterobothri um sp., the adult acanthocephalan Floridosentis sp. and the hirudinean, Gli ptonobdella sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent e ctoparasitic species were the monogenean, Neoheterobothrium. sp. and the co pepod, H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans Floridosenti s sp. and Corynosoma australe were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affecte d by host sex, however the prevalence of Floridosentis sp. was significantl y greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with h ost age for Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for Floridosen tis sp. and H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host H. macr ops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of H. macrops, its feeding habits an d ecological habitats are discussed.