Morpho-molecular characterization of Gyrodactylus parasites of farmed tilapia and their spillover to native fishes in Mexico

Translocation of fishes for aquaculture has resulted in the co-introduction of some of their parasites. African cichlid fishes, generically called “tilapias” have been introduced worldwide, along with their monogenean parasites. In a nation-wide survey, we characterised monogeneans of the genus Gyrodactylus infecting farmed “tilapia” throughout Mexico. We also collected native fishes around farms, to look for potential parasite spillover from cultured fishes. Monogeneans were identified taxonomically using morphological and molecular characters. Originally African, pathogenic Gyrodactylus cichlidarum was recorded in every farm surveyed, infecting different “tilapia” varieties, as well as three native cichlid fish species. Previously, we had shown that G. cichlidarum also infects native, non-cichlid fishes in Mexico. We also recorded that Gyrodactylus yacatli is widely distributed in Mexico, infecting cultured “tilapia” and native fishes; and present data indicating that this is a further translocated African parasite. A third, unidentified gyrodactylid infected farmed and native fishes in Chiapas, southern Mexico; we describe the new species as Gyrodactylus shinni n. sp., and provide evidence that this is a third monogenean translocated with African fish. The wide distribution of exotic parasites co-introduced with “tilapia” and their spillover to native fishes may have an important impact on the ichthyofauna in Mexico, one the world’s megadiverse countries.