Record of Ligula intestinalis Gmelin, 1789 (Cestoda: Trypanohrryncha) in triggerfish – Balistes capriscus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes) in the coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Abstract

The presence of helminth larvae in fish has contributed to production losses due to discard of infected tissues, considered unfit for consumption. Environmental changes, such as increased pollution of waters and the risk of extinction of some species of fish, such as triggerfish, Balistes caspricus, has contributed to change in the relationship between hosts and their parasites, like change of host, carried out by the parasite. Thus, the frequency of parasites in aquatic animals and their diversity has changed. Fish are generally intermediate hosts for cestoid larvae, which cause severe injuries and may affect the development and even lead to death of hosts. This study aimed to report the occurrence of larvae in fish B. capricus in the coast of Brazil. Larvae in muscle tissue and gills of necropsied fish (B. capricus) were collected, this fishes were purchased at fish market and arising from the southern coast of the Espirito Santo State. These larvae, harvested from the fishes at the necrospsy, were sent to morphometric identification in a laboratory and were identified as belonging at L. intestinalis, this is the first record of L. intestinalis parasitizing B. caspricus. 51% of the fish were infected and the average number of larvae was 2.5. The presence of larvae in muscle tissue of fish generate large losses in fish production due to disposal of infected tissues, as there is tissue destruction and changes in the housing. This is the first record of L. intestinalis in B. caspricus, which is a species of fish highly appraised in cookery in Brazil.