Helminth Parasites of Scorpaena brasiliensi s and S. plumieri (Perciformes: Scorpaenidae) from reefs of Veracruz, Mexico, Southern Gulf of Mexico

Both S. brasiliensis and S. plumieri are relevant species in reef systems, but little is known about their parasitic helminths and community structure. This work describes such community in terms of species richness and diversity. A helminthological study was conducted on 33 specimens of S. brasiliensis and 36 of S. plumieri , captured in the Pájaros and Cabezo Reefs, in the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP), Ver., Mexico. The helminth community structure was analyzed in both hosts. A total of 10 parasitic species was registered for S. brasiliensis (trematodes, 5; nematodes, 3; cestodes, 1; acanthocephals, 1). S. plumieri hosted 11 species (trematodes, 4; nematodes, 4; monogeneans, 1; cestodes, 1; acanthocephals, 1), with 8 common species. Overall, parasites had prevalences < 20%, as Pseudocapillaria ( Icthyocapillaria ) sp., with 18.2% and 19.4% in S. brasiliensis and S. plumieri , respectively. Community component richness for S. brasiliensis was S =10, with Shannon index diversity value of H ’=2.08. For S. plumieri , such values were of S =11 and H ’=1.91. The richness and diversity in the components community and infracommunity of parasitic helminths for both hosts are lower than in other parasite community of marine fish Southern Gulf of Mexico.