Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus (Osteichthyes: Prochilodontidae) from the Paraná River, Brazil

This work evaluated parasitic infections by Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus captured between August 2000 and August 2001 in the Paraná River, Presidente Epitácio, São Paulo, Brazil. Of 87 fishes examined, 59 were infected (25 males and 34 females). High mean intensities occurred in August 2000 (45.2, range 2-204), September 2000 (28.5, range 11-73), October 2000 (59.3, range 2-250) and February 2001 (27.3, range 3-73). There was no relationship of rainfall with mean intensity and prevalence. Males were more parasitized (P < 0.05) than females. This work contributes to the knowledge of helminth parasites of fish from a little studied region of the Paraná River, showing diversity in their fauna when compared to other places in the same river.