Helminths Associated with Three Physalaemus Species (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga Biome, Brazil

Knowledge of which and how many species are part of an ecosystem is fundamental to understanding the diversity of organisms, including parasitic organisms that vary widely among host populations. This study describes the composition, infection patterns, and similarity in composition of helminths associated with P. albifrons, P. cicada, and P. cuvieri. Four samplings were carried out in two caatinga areas in the southern region of Ceara State, Brazil. The specimens were collected by active search, necropsied, and surveyed for helminths. The infection patterns for all helminth species found were estimated through prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of infection. A total of 242 helminth specimens were collected from 264 hosts—100 Physalaemus albifrons with overall prevalence of 20%, 93 Physalaemus cicada with overall prevalence of 27%, and 71 Physalaemus cuvieri with overall prevalence of 15%. Ten parasite taxa with a mean of one–three parasite species per host were identified. The nematode Raillietnema spectans was present in the three host species and had the highest prevalence. The results of this study represent 38.4% of known parasites for the species of the subfamily Leiuperinae, and 52.6% for the species of Physalaemus. Four parasite taxa (Oswaldocruzia cf. mazzai, Raillietnema spectans, Schrankiana schranki, and Cylindrotaenia americana) are new records for the host species studied, contributing to the knowledge of the parasitic interactions of amphibians of the genus Physalaemus.