Urastoma cyprinae in mussel Perna perna cultivated in southern Brazil

Abstract

Urastoma cyprinae (Platyhelminthes: Urastomidae) was collected among the gill filaments of cultured mussel Perna perna from three localities of Santa Catarina state in the south of Brazil. Samples of P. perna were taken monthly during July 2010 to June 2011. The diagnostic of U. cyprinae in P. perna showed to be more efficient by stereoscopic microscope that histopathology, where less prevalence and infestation rate were registered. Seawater temperature and salinity during the survey period did not affect U. cyprinae prevalence in P. perna. The analysis on the stereoscopic microscope showed highest prevalence rates (54.2%) of U. cyprinae in the mussels from the northern locality studied (Penha - 26º46’S). In addition, the mussels from the southern locality (Palhoça - 27º45’S) had the highest infestation rate (7.4). Despite showing high prevalence and infestation rate during the study period, there is no evidence that this flatworm is causing histopathological damage to its host. Even being treated as a parasite of bivalve molluscs, in this study it was observed that the relationship between U. cyprinae and P. perna would not parasitism sensu stricto.