Sperm characters of the digenean Prosorhynchus aculeatus Odhner, 1905 (Bucephalidae), a parasite of the marine fish Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) (Congridae)

Within the Digenea, the family Bucephalidae includes numerous species parasitizing mainly marine and freshwater fishes. This family includes five recognized subfamilies, and ultrastructural data on their sperm cells are very scarce. The existing data are restricted to the subfamily Bucephalinae. Thus, the present study is the first complete analysis of the sperm cell of a bucephalid belonging to the subfamily Prosorhynchinae. Herein, we describe the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Prosorhynchus aculeatus, a parasite of the conger eel Conger conger, assessed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spermatozoon of P. aculeatus is a filiform cell that presents two axonemes of the 9?'1' pattern of trepaxonematan Platyhelminthes, parallel cortical microtubules, mitochondrion, nucleus, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies and a large amount of glycogen granules. According to the anterior location of the external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, P. aculeatus presents a Quilichini et al.'s type 1 spermatozoon. With respect to the posterior extremity, the sperm cell of P. aculeatus corresponds to the Quilichini et al.'s cryptogonimidean type. Our results are compared with those of the two previously studied bucephalids (Bucephalinae), Prosorhynchoides gracilescens and Pseudorhipidocotyle elopichthys

Anisakid Presence in the European Conger, Conger conger, from Spanish Mediterranean Waters

The European conger, Conger conger, is a benthic marine fish species with a geographicaldistribution extending through the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Despite beingextensively distributed and widely appreciated by Spanish consumers, studies regarding parasitepresence in this fish are scarce. In the present work, a hundred and eight specimens from theMediterranean coast of northeastern Spain (Catalan waters) were surveyed for the presence ofnematode parasites. Several species were morphologically identified: third-stage larvae of Anisakistype I (sensu Berland, 1961) (n = 131), third-stage larvae of Anisakis type II (sensu Berland, 1961)(n = 18), third- and fourth-stage larvae and adults of Hysterothylacium spp. (n = 48), adults ofCucullanus sp. (n = 391), and adults of Cristitectus congeri (n = 69). Moreover, some fish and decapodespecies were also observed as part of the host’s diet, with the most detected preys being Micromesistiuspoutassou, Sardina pilchardus, Macropipus sp., and Goneplax rhomboides. This represents the first surveyof nematode parasites infecting C. conger from the northeastern Spanish Mediterranean waters.Among the parasite species detected, the presence of Anisakis species should be highlighted as theingestion of C. conger parasitized with these larvae could potentially lead to anisakiasis in consumers</p

Some biological data on cetaceans populations present in the western coasts of Ireland

Ireland’s waters constitute one of the richest habitats for cetaceans in Europe. Marine mammals, particularly cetaceans, are known to be definitive hosts of digestive parasites from the Fm.Anisakidae. The main aim of this study is to collect and compile all the information available out there regarding parasites of the Fm. Anisakidae and their definitive hosts. Secondary objectives are to relate the presence of cetacean species with the presence of parasites of the Fm. Anisakidae and to determine whether this greater number of cetaceans relates to a greater level of parasitism. Prevalence and burdens of anisakids in definitive hosts vary widely with host species, geographic location, and season. Results from several post-mortem exams are given. However, they cannot be compared due to differences in collecting techniques. Anisakis simplex is the most commonly and widespread parasite found in the majority of the samples and in a major number of hosts, which include harbour porpoise, short-beaked common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. Studies on harbour porpoise obtained prevalences of Anisakis spp. of 46% (n=26) and of 100% (n= 12). Another study in common dolphin reported a prevalence of 68% (n=25). Several reasons could influence the variations in the presence of Anisakis. Studies on commercially exploited fish have reported prevalences of Anisakis simplex ranging from 65-100% in wild Atlantic salmon and from 42-53.4% in Atlantic co

Pollutants and parasites in bycatch teleosts from south eastern Spanish Mediterranean's fisheries: Concerns relating the foodstuff harnessing

This research provides an evaluation of the quality and health status of some locally abundant fish species, usually otter-trawl bycatch species. The study was conducted in the southern and eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast. Mean concentration of heavy metals in muscle and parasitisation indices showed moderate levels. Higher lead concentration was found in fish from the western Alboran and arsenic, cadmium and mercury were more present on fishes from the eastern Alboran area, although most species analysed contain moderate levels of heavy metals in muscle. Concerning parasitisation, F. Anisakidae nematodes were present in all the species, except sardine. Only mercury showed a positive relationship with parasitisation. We also considered three feeding guilds. Metal mean concentrations were higher in benthivores and more littoral fishes. Pelagic planktivores species are the healthiest and the more suitable for consumers from the sanitary point of viewVersión del edito