A review of ectocommensals and parasites of Chilean crayfishes (Decapoda, Parastacidae), with emphasis on Temnocephala chilensis (Moquin-Tandon, 1846) (Platyhelminthes)


The crayfishes of Chile are endemic species and have been poorly studied with respect to their biology. The available literature is restricted to species descriptions, whereas there is no information about other biological topics such as ectocommensals and parasites, which can affect crayfishes. The aim of the present study was to do a literature review and update the information about ectocommensals and parasites that have been reported from Chilean crayfishes. The literature mentioned the presence of Temnocephala chilensis (Platyhelminthes), Stratiodrilus pugnaxi (Polychaeta) and Protozoa such as species of the genera Operculigera and Lagenophrys as ectocommensals for Parastacus pugnax and Samastacus spinifrons. As an endoparasite, Psorospermium haeckelii was reported, a unicellular eukaryotic organism that was found in P. pugnax ovaria. An additional analysis of collected specimens of P. pugnax and S. spinifrons revealed the presence of T. chilensis, albeit at a low incidence. Ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary topics are discussed considering the case of a marked microendemism of an organism associated with Chilean crayfishes.