Population dynamics of the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus brentnickoli (Neoechinorhynchidae) in Pacific fat sleeper, Dormitator latifrons, from Tres Palos Lagoon, Guerrero, Mexico. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Violante-González, Juan; Marquez-Silva, Narnin E.; Monks, Scott; García-Ibañez, Sergio; Pulido-Flores, Griselda; Rojas-Herrera, Agustín A.; Flores-Rodríguez, Pedro
• Is Part Of: Invertebrate reproduction & development. Volume 61:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Temporal variation -- parasite -- fish -- brackish water; Invertebrates -- Reproduction -- Periodicals; Invertebrates -- Development -- Periodicals; 571.812
• DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2016.1267044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0792-4259

Abstract

Abstract: Population dynamics is a branch of ecology that studies temporal changes in the abundance of a population of organisms over time. This paper presents a study of the factors influencing population abundance of the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus brentnickoli in Dormitator latifrons, the Pacific fat sleeper, from Tres Palos Lagoon. Fish were sampled from February 2012 to February 2013. A total of 688 adult fish were examined. The mean total length of fish varied significantly from 16.10 ± 1.93 cm (September 2012) to 20.78 ± 3.82 cm (August 2012). 'Prevalence of acanthocephalans exceeded 90% in all months, and mature individuals were present year round, indicating that recruitment of helminths occurred throughout the year. Mean abundance ranged from 32.3 (July 2012) to 89.3 helminths per fish (March 2012) and was significantly lower in the rainy season. The body size of fish was the best predictor of acanthocephalan abundance in every month; larger fish harbored more acanthocephalans than smaller ones. Although parasite loads were high in some months (up to 500 acanthocephalans in one fish), obvious damage to the health of fish was not evident.