Caracterização de infestações parasitárias em peixes da família Lutjanidae capturados no litoral do estado do Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

The mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis (Cuvier, 1828), the lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758) and the yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch, 1791) are fishes of the family Lutjanidae, which have relevant economic importance as a fishery resource. They are commonly caught by artisanal fisheries along the northeastern coast. The present study aims to report the incidence of ectoparasites and possible endoparasites in three species of Lutjanidae fishes landed at Mucuripe Beach, Ceará State. Samplings were carried out monthly over one year at Mucuripe cove, Fortaleza - CE, where fish were purchased from artisanal fishermen. Each month, 30 animals were sampled, 10 from each species, totaling 120 individuals sampled per species. In the three hosts of the family Lutjanidae , ectoparasites belonging to the family Aegidae of the species Rocinela signata (Schioedte & Meinert, 1879) and endoparasites of the phylum nematoda belonging to the family Philometridae (Baylis & Daubney, 1926) were found. The parasite infestation indices of fishes were not worrisome, in terms of the occurrence of captured and parasitized fishes, 24.1% were cioba, 2.5% were ariacó and 6.6% were guaiúba. Among these, 95% of the parasites found in L. analis, L. synagris and O. chrysurus, were isopods ectoparasites belonging to the family Aegidae, the other 5% represent the presence of endoparasites of the phylum nematoda belonging to the Philometridae family. Both parasite species identified do not have zoonotic potential. However, care should be taken when consuming raw and undercooked fish dishes. Furthermore, this study reports the first occurrence of parasitism by nematodes of the family Philometridae in the host L. analis in Brazil.