Eimeria lepidosirenis n.sp. (Apicomplexa:Eimeriidae) of the South American lungfish Lepidosiren paradoxa (Osteichthyes:Dipnoi) from Amazonian Brazil

The South American lungfish Lepidosiren paradoxa as a new host for Trichodina quelenii

Recently, the South American lungfish Lepidosiren paradoxa is being found inside aquaculture ponds, and even though there are a few studies on their parasite fauna, there is still much to be reported. Thus, the objective of this study is to report parasitism by trichodinids in L. paradoxa, as these ciliate protozoa are related to injuries and mortality in fish farming. The lungfish were collected from experimental tanks, had their tegument scraped and the resultant mucus was analyzed under an optical microscope for morphological and morphometrical analyses in Giemsa and silver nitrate stained slides. The species found was identified as Trichodina quelleni. This is the first report of this parasite in L. paradoxa, and the second report in cultivated fish in Brazil.

Protozoan infections in farmed fish from Brazil: diagnosis and pathogenesis

The Phylum Protozoa brings together several organisms evolutionarily different that may act as ecto or endoparasites of fishes over the world being responsible for diseases, which, in turn, may lead to economical and social impacts in different countries. Apart from the recent advances for the diagnosis of fish diseases in Brazil, little is known on the protozoan parasites and their relationship with environment and host. This revision presents the most important protozoan parasites found in farmed fish from Brazil, not only with emphasis on its diagnosis, biology, transmission and host-parasite relationship, but also on some information that may be useful to researchers in determining the correct diagnosis in fish farms.