Abstract

In 51 specimens of lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris, captured in Santiaguillo Reef, Veracruz Reef National Park System, State of Veracruz, in the Southern Gulf of Mexico, a total of 25 helminth species were recovered, as follows: 9 digeneans (8 adults, and 1 metacercaria), 7 monogeneans, 6 nematodes (4 adults, and 2 larvae), 2 cestodes (both larvae), and 1 acanthocephalan (juvenile). Out of the 25 species, 11 are new host records; 2 have prevalence > 50%, and mean intensity > 4.7; Haliotrematoides cornigerum (monogenean) had the highest prevalence, 94.11%, followed by Euryhaliotrema tubocirrus with prevalence of 66.67%. Richness (S = 25) and diversity (Shannon index H’ = 2.13) at component community, and endoparasites infracommunity level (S = 6.27 ± 2.5, Brillouin index H = 1.07 ± 0.42), and ectoparasites infracommunity level (S = 3.6875 ± 1.87, Brillouin index H = 0.74 ± 0.4), were similar to those found in other marine fish. Results suggests that the host feeding habits determine the endoparasites composition, while the ectoparasites composition is associated to the environmental conditions.

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