Cicero Ricardo de Oliveira1,2, Robson Waldemar Ávila3,4, Drausio Honorio Morais3,5. 1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz Pimenta 1161, Campus do Pimenta, Crato, Ceará, CEP 63105-000, Brazil. riccicer@gmail.com. 2. Laboratório de Herpetologia, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz Pimenta 1161, Campus do Pimenta, Crato, Ceará, CEP 63105-000, Brazil. riccicer@gmail.com. 3. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz Pimenta 1161, Campus do Pimenta, Crato, Ceará, CEP 63105-000, Brazil. 4. Laboratório de Herpetologia, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz Pimenta 1161, Campus do Pimenta, Crato, Ceará, CEP 63105-000, Brazil. 5. Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), PA 275, Km 13, Zona Rural, Parauapebas, Pará, CEP 68.515-000, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceará State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. RESULTS: A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts-100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one-three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceará State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. RESULTS: A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts-100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one-three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.