Parasites of two coexisting invasive sailfin catfishes (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in a tropical region of Mexico

Abstract

Currently many species of Amazon sailfin catfishes (Loricariidae) have been introduced to wild environments outside their native range. There is, however, little knowledge about their role as vectors of parasites that can infect native fish or even humans through its consumption. The aim of the present study was to determine the parasitic fauna of the invasive sailfin catfish species Pterygoplichthys pardalis (leopard pleco) and P. disjunctivus (vermiculated pleco) from freshwater systems in the southeast of Mexico. Four ectoparasite species were found in P. pardalis (1 protozoan: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis; 2 monogeneans: Urocleidoides vaginoclastrum and Heteropriapulus heterotylus; 1 digenean: Clinostomum sp.), and only one in Heteropriapulus disjunctivus (H. heterotylus). No endoparasites were found. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, U. vaginoclaustrum and Clinostomum sp., were considered as rare species (prevalence <5%) since they were found in a single individual of P. pardalis. H. heterotylus was the only species shared among both host species and it occurs throughout the year. This monogenean species represents 96% of total parasites recorded in P. pardalis and 100% in P. disjunctivus. Monthly values of prevalence, intensity and abundance of H. heterotylus in both host species showed important intra-annual variations, but not differ significantly between both hosts.