Scientometrics of zoonoses transmitted by the giant African snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822

ABSTRACT The dissemination of the giant African snail Achatina fulica in several countries has triggered a great number of studies on the mollusk, including those on zoonoses related to health in humans. The current research is a scientific survey on articles published in four databases, namely, PubMed, Bireme, Scielo and Lilacs. Results indicate that Brazil has a prominent position in international scientific production on this subject, with focus on Angiostrongylus cantonensis occurrences

Scientometrics of zoonoses transmitted by the giant African snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822

The dissemination of the giant African snail Achatina fulica in several countries has triggered a great number of studies on the mollusk, including those on zoonoses related to health in humans. The current research is a scientific survey on articles published in four databases, namely, PubMed, Bireme, Scielo and Lilacs. Results indicate that Brazil has a prominent position in international scientific production on this subject, with focus on Angiostrongylus cantonensis occurrences

Henneguya schizodon n. sp. (Myxozoa, Myxobolidae), a parasite of the Amazonian teleost fish Schizodon fasciatus (Characiformes, Anostomidae)

A new histozoic species of myxosporean [Henneguya schizodon n. sp.) is described from the Amazon River teleost fish Schizodon fasciatus Spix & Agassiz, 1 892 [Characiformes, Anostomidae). The plasmodia, which showed asynchronous development, were located in the kidney of the host. The spore body was ellipsoidal and was 13.1 (12-14) μm long by 3.3 (3-4) μm wide. The total length of the spore was 28.9 (27-30) μm, and each valve had a caudal process measuring 16.3 (15-17) μm. The polar capsules were 5.4 (5-0) μm long by 1.3 (1-1.5) μm wide, and each had a polar filament with 8-10 coils. The characteristics of the species were compared with nearly all the species described so far, including all the species reported from South American fishes. This comparison allows to consider the material as a new species, and the name Henneguya schizodon n. sp. is proposed

ESTUDIO CIENTOMÉTRICO EN PARASITOLOGÍA DE PECES DE AGUA DULCE EN BRASIL

This study presents the current state of research of freshwater fishes' parasites in Brazil, exploring the watersheds requiring further studies. The articles used were obtained through searching the databases ISI and SciELO, as well as direct search in the Curricula Vitae of researchers in this area. The survey was conducted during the month of March 2012 and 685 articles were obtained. The most studied group was Monogenea. Taxonomy was the most common studied subject. The most reported river basin is the Amazon region and the region of Parana. The largest concentration of periodic articles was Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Most articles were published in journals with Qualis B1 and B2 and without impact factor. More than half of the articles were found in the Curriculum of researchers. It is believed that this information will contribute to the knowledge of the available literature on this subject, offering subsidies to agencies that support research in the country and identifying geographical sampling gaps. Moreover, it allows the design of future biogeographic and ecological studies in order to assist in understanding the patterns of biological diversity of several groups of parasites in Brazil.Este estudio presenta la situación de la investigación de parásitos de peces de agua dulce en Brasil, indicando las cuencas hidrográficas y las áreas que requieren más estudios. Los artículos utilizados fueron obtenidos a través de búsquedas en las bases de datos ISI y SciELO, así como en el Curriculum Vitae de los investigadores en esta área. La búsqueda fue conducida durante el mes de Marzo 2012 y 685 artículos fueron obtenidos. El grupo más estudiado fue Monogenea y taxonomía fue el tema más estudiado. Con respecto a la cuenca del río más estudiados destacan la región amazónica y la región de Paraná. La mayor concentración de artículos fue en el periódico Memorias del Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. La mayoría de los artículos fueron publicados en revistas con Qualis B1 y B2 y sin factor de impacto. Más de la mitad de los artículos fueron encontrados en la hoja de vida de los investigadores. Creemos que esta información contribuirá al conocimiento de la literatura disponible sobre el tema, que ofrece subsidios a las agencias que apoyan la investigación en el país y a la identificación de brechas de muestreo geográficas. Además, permite el diseño de futuros estudios biogeográficos y ecológicos con el fin de ayudar en la comprensión de los patrones de diversidad biológica de varios grupos de parásitos en Brasil

RELACIONES ECOLÓGICAS ENTRE ENDOPARASITOS Y EL PEZ SALMINUS BRASILIENSIS (CHARACIDAE) EN UNA LLANURA DE INUNDACIÓN NEOTROPICAL

The present study was designed to characterize the community structure of parasites of Salminus brasiliensis in the upper Paraná River during different seasons, and to examine the levels of parasitism of this hosts. The community of parasites of S. brasiliensis did not have a dominant species. Four of the five most prevalent parasite species showed aggregate distribution. In relation to other aspects of the community, each group encompassed their particular parasite, which highlights the differences inherent in the biology and life cycle of each species.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la estructura de la comunidad de parásitos de Salminus brasiliensis en el curso superior del río Paraná a lo largo de las diferentes estaciones del año, entre los niveles de parasitismo y las diferentes características de los huéspedes. La comunidad de parásitos de S. brasiliensis no possuía ninguna especie dominante. Cuatro de las cinco especies de parásitos más prevalentes mostraron distribución agregada. En relación a otros aspectos de la comunidad, cada grupo presentó su parásito en particular, lo que destaca las diferencias inherentes al ciclo de la biología y de la vida de cada especie

ESTRUTURA DAS COMUNIDADES DE ENDOPARASITOS DE TRÊS ESPÉCIES DE PEIXES EM RIACHOS AFLUENTES DO RIO PIRAPÓ, ESTADO DO PARANÁ, BRASIL

An ichthyoparasitological study on 166 fishes, belonging to Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 (Poeciliidae), Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Pimelodidae) and Hypostomus ancistroides (Ihering, 1911) (Loricariidae) in tributary streams of the Pirapó River, located in and around urban city of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. The research aimed to recognize the endoparasite community of fishes analyzed, as well as to improve the knowledge about host/parasite relationships. We analyzed the correlation between the total length of the fish with levels of parasitism (prevalence, abundance). Due to the existence of sexual dimorphism in the species P. reticulata, we investigated the possible influence of sex of this fish on parasitism. In addition, we also analyzed the body surface and nostril for ectoparasites studies. There were no metazoan parasites on the body surface and nostril of the species analyzed. Only 15.06% of endoparasite prevalence was observed. A pentastomid species, Sebekia oxycephala (Diesing) Sambon, 1922 and cestode belonging to the order Pseudophyllidea were found, with a prevalence of 13.89 and 0.92%, respectively. The nematode species, Cucullanus (Cucullanus) pinnai Travassos, Artigas and Pereira, 1928 had a prevalence of 39.13% in Rhamdia quelen. No parasites found in the in the fish H. ancistroides. There was no correlation between the sex of P. reticulata with the prevalence and abundance of S. oxycephala. The hosts' lengths were not correlated with the prevalence and abundance of endoparasites. Thus, because parasites found were generalists, there appeared to be no relationship between parasitism with features/peculiarities of analyzed hosts (fishes), as would have been expected with high specificity parasites.Um estudo ictioparasitológico foi conduzido com 166 indivíduos pertencentes às espécies Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 (Poeciliidae), Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) e Hypostomus ancistroides (Ihering, 1911) (Loricariidae) em riachos afluentes do rio Pirapó, localizados na zona urbana e entorno da cidade de Maringá-PR. A pesquisa objetivou o levantamento da comunidade de endoparasitos nos peixes analisados, assim como um aprofundamento no conhecimento da relação parasita/hospedeiro. Dessa forma, foram analisadas possíveis correlações entre o Comprimento Total dos peixes com os níveis de parasitismo (prevalência, abundância). Em função da existência de dimorfismo sexual na espécie P. reticulata, foram investigadas possíveis influências do sexo deste peixe no parasitismo. De forma complementar, também foi analisada a superfície corporal e narina dos peixes na procura por ectoparasitos. Porém, não foram identificados metazoários parasitos na superfície do corpo e narina de nenhuma das espécies analisadas. Apenas 15,06% de prevalência endoparasitária foi observada nos hospedeiros investigados. Uma espécie de pentastomideo, Sebekia oxycephala (Diesing) Sambon, 1922, e um cestóide da ordem Pseudophyllidea foram os endoparasitos encontrados parasitando o peixe P. reticulata, com prevalência de 13,89 e 0,92 %, respectivamente. Rhamdia quelen apresentou prevalência de 39,13 % para o nematóide da espécie Cucullanus (Cucullanus) pinnai Travassos, Artigas e Pereira, 1928. Aespécie H. ancistroides não apresentou parasitos. Não foi observada correlação entre o sexo de P. reticulatacom a prevalência e abundância parasitária de S. oxycephala. Os comprimentos totais dos hospedeiros não se apresentaram correlacionados com as prevalências e abundâncias dos endoparasitos. Desta forma, devido ao fato dos parasitos encontrados serem generalistas, não foi observada vinculação do parasitismo com características/peculiaridades dos hospedeiros (peixes) analisados, como ocorre com parasitos de elevada especificidade

Myxobolus insignis sp. n. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae), a parasite of the Amazonian teleost fish Semaprochilodus insignis (Osteichthyes, Prochilodontidae)

A new myxosporean species is described from the fish Semaprochilodus insignis captured from the Amazon River, near Manaus. Myxobolus insignis sp. n. was located in the gills of the host forming plasmodia inside the secondary gill lamellae. The spores had a thick wall (1.5-2 µm) all around their body, and the valves were symmetrical and smooth. The spores were a little longer than wide, with rounded extremities, in frontal view, and oval in lateral view. They were 14.5 (14-15) µm long by 11.3 (11-12) µm wide and 7.8 (7-8) µm thick. Some spores showed the presence of a triangular thickening of the internal face of the wall near the posterior end of the polar capsules. This thickening could occur in one of the sides of the spore or in both sides. The polar capsules were large and equal in size surpassing the midlength of the spore. They were oval with the posterior extremity rounded, and converging anteriorly with tapered ends. They were 7.6 (7-8) µm long by 4.2 (3-5) µm wide, and the polar filament formed 6 coils slightly obliquely to the axis of the polar capsule. An intercapsular appendix was present. There was no mucous envelope or distinct iodinophilous vacuole