Copepods and larvae of nematodes parasiting the white mullet Mugil curema (Valenciennes, 1836) : Indicators of anthropogenic impacts in tropical coastal lagoons?

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 122; no. 1-3; pp. 221 - 237
• Main Authors: Fajer-Avila, E J, Garcia-Vasquez, A, Plascencia-Gonzalez, H, Rios-Sicairos, J, Parra, LMGarcia-De La, Betancourt-Lozano, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrect Springer 01.11.2006; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anthropogenic factors; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish; Caligus; Contracaecum; Copepoda; Crustacea; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental conditions; Environmental monitoring; Environmental stress; Ergasilus; Estuaries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Haliotrema mugilinus; Holobomolochus; Invertebrates; Lagoons; Larvae; Lernaeopodidae; Metamicrocotyla macracantha; Metazoa; Mugil curema; Mullet; Nematoda; Parasites; Uria; Mexico; Brackish water environment; Tropical zone; Climatic zone; Crustacea; Aquatic environment; Pollution; Pisces; Pollution effects; Copepoda; Fish; Developmental stage; Bioindicators; Nematoda; Anthropogenic factor; Parasite; Biological indicator; Metazoan parasites; Environmental impact; Coastal lagoon; Metazoa; Vertebrata; Larva; Arthropoda; Environment impact; Helmintha; Mugil curema; Nemathelminthia; Invertebrata; Environmental monitoring
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-9177-2

The relationship between parasites and environmental stress were studied in two tropical coastal lagoons of Northwest Mexico: Urias estuary (highly polluted) and Teacapan estuary (slightly polluted). Metazoan parasites were examined in 292 white mullet (Mugil curema) specimens collected bimonthly during a year from both systems. Haliotrema mugilinus, Metamicrocotyla macracantha, Ergasilus sp., Caligus sp., Holobomolochus sp., and Lernaeopodidae were found in gills, while Contracaecum sp. larvae III was found liver, hepatic portal vein and kidneys. Ecological indices were influenced by the slightly higher number of parasitic species in Urias compared to Teacapan, as well as the clear dominance of two species: Ergasilus sp. and Contracaecum sp. in both systems. In fact, Ergasilus sp. showed considerably higher abundance in Urias, possibly indicating that its success was a result of adverse conditions affecting the host, while Contracaecum sp showed higher abundances in Teacapan, suggesting that the environmental conditions occurring in Urias could have produced negative impacts on the nematode's infective potential.