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<p>The intensification of <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i> (Linnaeus) aquaculture in the Peruvian Amazon has increased the need for detailed knowledge of its parasite fauna, particularly monopisthocotyls, which can severely impact gill function and fish health. This study aimed to characterize the community of monopisthocotyls infecting the gills of <i>O. niloticus</i> from a natural water body in Amazonas, Peru, and to describe a new species of <i>Gussevia</i> Kohn &amp; Paperna, 1964. Forty tilapias were sampled in June 2024 from the Mashuyacu River (Amazonas, Peru). Gills were removed and processed using standard protocols for monopisthocotyls, staining and mounting. Sclerotized structures were examined under phase-contrast microscopy, measured, and illustrated, and parasitological indices were calculated. Four previously known species were identified: <i>Cichlidogyrus tilapiae</i> Paperna, 1960, <i>C. sclerosus</i> Paperna &amp; Thurston, 1969<i>, C. thurstonae</i> Ergens, 1981 and <i>Scutogyrus longicornis</i> (Paperna &amp; Thurston, 1969). In addition, a new monopisthocotyl is described based on the morphology of its copulatory complex and haptoral sclerites. <i>Gussevia peruensis</i> <b>n. sp</b>. can be readily distinguished from these congeners by the unique configuration of its accessory piece, which is medially widened and terminates distally in a rounded, laterally directed tip with a comma-shaped branching. The haptoral structures further support the distinctiveness of the new species, particularly the combination of a thin, medially curved dorsal bar and dissimilar anchors with moderately developed roots. Although just one species of the host was parasitized by <i>G. peruensis</i> <b>n. sp</b>. showed low prevalence (2.5%; 1/40), the infected fish harbored 63 specimens (mean intensity = 63; mean abundance = 1.57). This represents the first record of the Neotropical genus <i>Gussevia</i> on an African cichlid and the first occurrence of this genus in tilapia in Peru, strongly suggesting a host-switching event from native South American cichlids to an introduced host. Our findings expand the known diversity of&#xa0;monopisthocotyls associated with <i>O. niloticus</i> in the Peruvian Amazon and highlight the potential for native parasites to integrate into parasite assemblages of farmed, non-native fishes. </p>

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Monopisthocotyla parasites of the gills of Oreochromis niloticus (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) collected in the Department of Amazonas, Peru, with the description of a new species of Gussevia Kohn & Paperna

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月14日

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  • Germán Augusto Murrieta Morey,
  • Hilmer Angélica Dávila Pizango,
  • Carmen Patricia Pasquel Pinedo,
  • Carlos Alfredo Tuesta Rojas,
  • Alicia María López Flores,
  • Victor Puicón Niño de Guzmán

摘要

The intensification of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) aquaculture in the Peruvian Amazon has increased the need for detailed knowledge of its parasite fauna, particularly monopisthocotyls, which can severely impact gill function and fish health. This study aimed to characterize the community of monopisthocotyls infecting the gills of O. niloticus from a natural water body in Amazonas, Peru, and to describe a new species of Gussevia Kohn & Paperna, 1964. Forty tilapias were sampled in June 2024 from the Mashuyacu River (Amazonas, Peru). Gills were removed and processed using standard protocols for monopisthocotyls, staining and mounting. Sclerotized structures were examined under phase-contrast microscopy, measured, and illustrated, and parasitological indices were calculated. Four previously known species were identified: Cichlidogyrus tilapiae Paperna, 1960, C. sclerosus Paperna & Thurston, 1969, C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981 and Scutogyrus longicornis (Paperna & Thurston, 1969). In addition, a new monopisthocotyl is described based on the morphology of its copulatory complex and haptoral sclerites. Gussevia peruensis n. sp. can be readily distinguished from these congeners by the unique configuration of its accessory piece, which is medially widened and terminates distally in a rounded, laterally directed tip with a comma-shaped branching. The haptoral structures further support the distinctiveness of the new species, particularly the combination of a thin, medially curved dorsal bar and dissimilar anchors with moderately developed roots. Although just one species of the host was parasitized by G. peruensis n. sp. showed low prevalence (2.5%; 1/40), the infected fish harbored 63 specimens (mean intensity = 63; mean abundance = 1.57). This represents the first record of the Neotropical genus Gussevia on an African cichlid and the first occurrence of this genus in tilapia in Peru, strongly suggesting a host-switching event from native South American cichlids to an introduced host. Our findings expand the known diversity of monopisthocotyls associated with O. niloticus in the Peruvian Amazon and highlight the potential for native parasites to integrate into parasite assemblages of farmed, non-native fishes.