| Abstract: | Two hundred and seventy-five macrourids, representing 21 species, were examined for their helminth parasites. Macrourids were collected in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and Southern Caribbean Sea between the depths of 364 and 1,454 meters. Four monogenetic trematodes, 32 digenetic trematodes, 16 cestodes, 30 nematodes and two acanthocephalans were found. The digenetic trematodes include one new subfamily, four new genera and 15 new species. Two new species of monogenetic trematodes and 12 new species of nematodes are also described. Another four species of digenetic trematodes, 10 of nematodes and 1 acanthocephalan could not be identified with previously described species. All of the cestodes were larval. The incidence of infections were Monogenea 5%, Digenea 60%, Cestoda 80%, Nematoda 75% and Acanthocephala 2.5%. The helminth fauna of the macrourids examined is distinct from that of nearby shallow-water fishes and more like that of distant cold waters. The bathygadine macrourids had fewer helminths than the macrourine macrourids which may be correlated to feeding habits. The digenetic trematode and nematode fauna appears to be as rich as that of shallow-water fishes. |
|---|