<b>First record of Hamaticolax <i>scutigerulus</i> (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) in Brazil, ectoparasite of the spotted goatfish <i>Pseudupeneus maculatus</i> (Actinopterygii: Mullidae)

Abstract

Bomolochidae Claus, 1875 is a copepod family with worldwide distribution that parasitizes marine fishes. This study provides the first report of Hamaticolax scutigerulus (Wilson, 1935) (Copepoda: Bomolochidae) in the spotted goatfish Pseudupeneus maculatus (Bloch, 1793), in the coastal waters of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Prevalence of 35%, mean intensity of infestation of 1.9±1.3 and mean abundance of 0.7±1.2 were found. The setae and spines of the leg armor of the Hamaticolax species were analyzed to identify the present species.

Keywords

• Marine fish
• ectoparasites
• coast of Pernambuco.