Ecological aspects of metazoan endoparasites of Metynnis lippincottianus (Cope, 1870) (Characidae) from Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

We examined 44 specimens of Metynnis lippincottianus (Cope, 1870) (Characidae), collected in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil, from March 2006 to December 2007. Of the total number of fishes, 32 (72.7 %) were infected by at least one species of helminth (endoparasites). One digenean, Dadayus pacupeva, and four nematode species, Spinoxyuris oxydoras, Contracaecum sp. (larval stage), Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) mahnerti were identified. D. pacupeva and S. oxydoras showed the highest values of prevalence, mean intensity and abundance. The typical pattern of overdispersion or aggregation was observed for all endoparasites. Dominance by D. pacupeva and S. oxydoras was observed in the parasite community. Positive association between D. pacupeva and two nematode species (S. oxydoras and P.(S.) inopinatus) was observed, including positive and significant covariation between their abundances. These results suggest that species are coexisting without competition. There was no correlation between parasitism and sex for M. lippincottianus.