Parasites of Freshwater Fish of the eastern Everglades

Abstract

A survey of fish parasites was conducted in the Everglades, Florida and examined 31 species of fish from 15 locations across Lake Okeechobee, Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA-3/4) and Water Conservation Areas (WCA) 3A and 3B. We documented 30 species of parasites, 19 of which were found as adults from the intestines of fishes. We collected 15 of the fish species and 16 of the parasite species that were examined/documented in Bangham’s 1938 survey. Thirteen established non-native fish species were examined and were found to host 14 species of parasites. There was 1 new species, 19 new host records for 5 species of parasites, and 4 new locality records documented. These new records demonstrate the need for parasite surveys in understudied areas of North America (like the southeastern region) to better understand what species are present and what species are utilized as hosts. The changes in the parasite communities in the area demonstrate the extensive environmental changes of the region. A new species of Neoechinorhynchus was discovered in Largemouth Bass in Florida and is described here. A previously known species, Neoechinorhynchus doryphorus, was re-encountered in the Florida Everglades and redescribed here as well.