Population dynamics and community analysis of the parasite fauna of juvenile spot, Leiostomus xanthurus (Lacepede), and Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus (Linnaeus), Sciaenidae) in two estuaries along the middle Atlantic coast of the United States

Abstract

The parasite communities ofjuvenile spot, Leiostomu.F.uanthurus Lacepi.de, and Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulutus (Linnaeus), changed with size, season. and geographical area. A total of 2 1 parasitic species occurred in juvenile spot and 19 occurred in juvenile croaker from Chesapeake Bay and Pamlico Sound. More parasitic species were acquired as juveniles grew, diversified their diets, and consumed larger numbers of intermediate hosts. They were also exposed to infective larvae of parasites with direct lifecycles over long periods of time. Equibility and, thus, diversity were depressed because of large numbers of Diplornonorchis /eio.rtomi Hopkins, I941 that dominated the parasite communities of both species. Although spot and croaker from both estuaries shared eight and six parasites, respectively, many of these non-specific parasites (generalists) were more common in both spot and croaker from one estuary than from the other. All species occurring in both hosts have indirect life cycles suggesting that the availability of certain intermediate hosts as prey was an important determinant of infection. Estuary of residence was clearly as important as host species identity in determining parasite community structure.

Structure and diversity of endoparasitic infracommunities and the trophic level of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Schizodon borelli (Osteichthyes) of the high Paraná river

“…Differences found between prevalence and mean intensity of parasites of P. corruscans and S. borelli are in accordance to Thoney (1991) who observed that these variations in different host species may be explained by their alimentary habits. According to Kennedy et al (1986) a greater diversity of prey items contributes significantly to an increase in the number of specimens of parasites, justifying the results obtained in the present research work with regard to P. corruscans.…”

“…Since the populational fluctuation of intermediate hosts can influence the occurrence of heteroxenous parasites (Thoney 1991) the high prevalence of infection, especially in P. corruscans, suggests the availability of its intermediate hosts as preys and thus important determinants of infection.…”

Community ecology of the metazoan parasites of white croaker, Micropogonias furnieri (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae), from the coastal zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Some of the patterns detected by Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993 in the parasite infracommunities of M. undulatus (Linnaeus) from North American Atlantic Ocean, are close to those detected in M. furnieri. According to Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993, the parasite community of M. undulatus is dominated by endoparasites and the young fishes showed similar parasite diversity in relation to adults croakers, but the parasites recorded by Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993 showed higher values of prevalence and parasite abundance.…”

“…According to Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993, the parasite community of M. undulatus is dominated by endoparasites and the young fishes showed similar parasite diversity in relation to adults croakers, but the parasites recorded by Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993 showed higher values of prevalence and parasite abundance. Luque (1996), and Oliva and Luque (1998) studied the characteristics of the parasite infracommunities in five sciaenids from Peru, in the South American Pacific Ocean.…”

New host, geographical records, and some ecological aspect of Absonifibula bychowskyi Lawler et Overstreet, 1976 (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) from estuarine areas of Argentina

“…Later, Thoney (1991Thoney ( , 1993 recorded it from the same host at the Chesapeake Bay and the Palmico Sound, North Carolina.…”