Parasite Assemblages in Centrarchid Fishes from Backwater Habitats in Southeast Texas, U.S.A‪.‬

Abstract. -- Between March, 2001 and August, 2002, 56 fishes representing nine species from the family Centrarchidae were collected from three backwater habitats in Hardin County, Texas, U.S.A. Hosts were examined for endoparasites and ectoparasites. Fifty-two fish (93%) were infected with one or more parasites. A total of 9300 parasite individuals representing five phyla were collected. These included Acanthocephala, Arthropoda (Copepoda), Platyhelminthes (Cestoidea, Trematoda, Monogenea), Nematoda, and Mollusca (glochidia larvae). The mean abundance of infection was 166.07 [+ or -] 178.18 parasites per host individual. The metacercarial stage of the trematode Posthodiplostomum minimum occurred with highest prevalence and mean abundance. **********