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ARTICLES

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2022): Rev. Arg. Parasitol.

Parasitological survey of the Patagonian grouper Acanthistius patachonicus (Perciformes: Serranidae) in the Patagonian reefs

Submitted
May 12, 2024
Published
2022-04-30

Abstract

The Patagonian grouper Acanthistius patachonicus is one of the most abundant fish in the Patagonian reefs. It is caught by artisanal fishermen and preferentially consumed in the region. This study reports new parasitological data on this fish. The species richness was qualitatively compared with that of other three fish species cohabiting these reefs (i. e. Sebastes oculatus, Pinguipes brasilianus, and Pseudopercis semifasciata). Fish were collected from the rocky reefs of both San José and Nuevo gulfs, and prospected for parasites. Twelve parasitic taxa, eight endoparasites, and four ectoparasites were identified. The Patagonian grouper acts as an intermediate host of one tetraphyllidean larva, Dollfustrema sp., and one Gnathiidae gen. et sp.; as paratenic host of Anisakidae gen. et sp., and Corynosoma australe; and as definitive host of Allobenedenia dischizosepta, Dichelyne (C.) szidati, Clavella sp., Lecithochirium sp., Lecithocladium sp., Dracunculoidea fam. gen. et sp., and Clavellotis sp. Five species of parasites, Dollfustrema sp., A. dischizosepta, D. (C.) szidati, Dracunculoidea, and Clavella sp. constitute new records for both North Patagonian gulfs. The tetraphyllidean, gnathiid, anisakids, and C. australe larvae are common parasites recorded in the other three reef fish species. Acanthistius patachonicus, S. oculatus, and Pi. brasilianus showed a similar species richness -10 to 12 species - whereas Ps. semifasciata presented 22 species according to the bibliography. Those differences could be given by the diet type of each fish species. The four fish species presented a similar ratio of parasite species on both larval and adult stages. At the same time, values of intermediate to high prevalences of potentially zoonotic taxa (anisakids L3, and C. australe cystacanths), present in the grouper and the other three fish species mentioned above are highlighted. The grouper parasitofauna reflects its capacity to carry larvae and its versatile role as a prey for marine mammals, birds or larger fish, or as a predator of smaller fish and invertebrates from food webs of these reefs.

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