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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 93:71-82 (2010)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02276

Helminth community structure of Scinax nasicus (Anura: Hylidae) from a South American subtropical area

M. I. Hamann*, A. I. Kehr, C. E. González

CONICET-CECOAL, ruta 5, km 2.5, W 3400 AMD, Corrientes, Argentina

ABSTRACT: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the relative influence of season, year of study, host body size, and host sex on abundance of helminth species parasitic in the frog Scinax nasicus. A total of 273 frogs was collected between December 2004 and November 2006 over all seasons in Corrientes City, Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Helminth community included 21 taxa, and was dominated particularly by larval trematodes. Infected frogs harboured a maximum of 7 species. Host sex and season played no significant effect in determining infracommunity parasite species abundance. Similarly, species richness was similar for both host sexes, and across time (year and season). However, occurrence of the parasites Opisthogonimus sp. 2 and Travtrema aff. stenocotyle greatly varied over time. Host body size was the main factor for determining infrapopulation structure of Centrorhynchus sp. Species richness was significantly and positively correlated with host body size. Strong associations were observed mainly between metacercariae of some species. The transmission strategies of parasites suggest that this hylid acquires infections by ingestion of infective larvae and through direct contact with larval parasites from aquatic and terrestrial habitats.


KEY WORDS: Helminth community · Season · Study period · Host body size · Host sex · Scinax nasicus


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Cite this article as: Hamann MI, Kehr AI, González CE (2010) Helminth community structure of Scinax nasicus (Anura: Hylidae) from a South American subtropical area. Dis Aquat Org 93:71-82. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02276

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