Contracaecum sp (ANISAKIDAE) IN THE FISH Hoplias malabaricus CAPTURED IN CIENAGA GRANDE DE LORICA, CORDOBA

Objective. To determine the presence of Contracaecum nematodes in the fish Hoplias malabaricus (moncholo). Materials and methods. A total of 45 fish, captured between July. 2006 and May, 2007 were sampled. In the laboratory, biometric analysis was done on each fish; the fish was gutted and examined for nematodes. Skeletal musculature was extracted, dissected in thin layers and observed with ultraviolet light to evaluate the presence of nematodes. Nematodes were counted, isolated and fixed in formaldehyde. Nematodes tissues were cleared in order to visualize their internal structures, and morphometric keys were used to confirm their identification. Results. Nematodes were found only in viscera and identified as Contracaecum spp in the third larval state (L3). Prevalence was 100% with light (88.9%) and moderate (11.1%) infestation. The condition factor value was 0.036±0.04, the hepatosomatic, branchiasomatic and somatic spleen indices were 1.65±0.37, 3.40±0.43, 0.09±0.04, respectively. There was no significant relationship between these indices and the parasite index (r<0.02) (p>0.05). Conclusions. Moncholo sampled from Ciénaga Grande de Lorica were infected with Contracaecum spp. The condition factor index and the somatic organ indices were not significant predictors of infection.