First report of the nematode Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: : Dioctophymatidae) in the sardine astyanax panamensis in Darién, Panama

Kedric Bosco González Serrano; Luis C. Rodríguez; Rogemif Fuentes M.

doi:10.48204/j.tecno.v28n1.a8956

Submitted December 12, 2025

Published 2026-01-13

Artículos

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2026): Tecnociencia

First report of the nematode Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: : Dioctophymatidae) in the sardine astyanax panamensis in Darién, Panama

Kedric Bosco González Serrano⁺⁻
Luis C. Rodríguez⁺⁻
Rogemif Fuentes M.⁺⁻

DOI https://doi.org/10.48204/j.tecno.v28n1.a8956

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DOI: 10.48204/j.tecno.v28n1.a8956

Published: 2026-01-13

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Kedric Bosco González Serrano, Rodríguez, L. C. and Fuentes M., R. (2026) “First report of the nematode Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: : Dioctophymatidae) in the sardine astyanax panamensis in Darién, Panama”, Tecnociencia, 28(1), pp. 186–195. doi: 10.48204/j.tecno.v28n1.a8956.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Astyanax panamensis is a species of sardine with an omnivorous diet and is often used as a subsistence food in various regions of the country. In this study, we report for the first time the presence of larvae of the genus Eustrongylides parasitizing this species in the Darién region. Eustrongylides sp. has previously been described from Lake Gatun in two host species; however, there is no recent evidence of its distribution in other provinces of Panama, which poses a risk due to its zoonotic potential. In this study, larvae of Eustrongylides sp. were morphologically identified, with an average length of 4.3 mm, and were found in the hosts' musculature. The average number of larvae per individual was one; however, some individuals were found to be parasitized by
up to three larvae simultaneously. The presence of Ciconiiformes birds in Darién suggests the possibility that the life cycle of the parasite may be sustained in this region. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence of this and other parasites with zoonotic potential, both in Darién and in other provinces of Panama.

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References

Angulo, A. et al. (2018) “A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a key to the lower Central American species of the genus”, Journal of fish biology, 92(6), pp. 1866–1887. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13626.
Arepbaev, I. et al. (2022) “Ecological and faunal characteristics of helminths of wetland birds in North-Western Uzbekistan”, Biosystems diversity, 30(4), pp. 380–387. https://doi.org/10.15421/012237.
Carol, E. et al. (2022) “Origin and dynamics of surface water - groundwater flows that sustain the Matusagaratí Wetland, Panamá”, Aquatic sciences, 84(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-021-00847-y.
Eberhard, M.L. et al. (1989) “Intestinal perforation caused by larval Eustrongylides (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidae) in New Jersey”, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 40(6), pp. 648–650. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1989.40.648.
Eberhard, M.L. & Ruiz-Tiben, E. (2014) “Cutaneous emergence of Eustrongylides in two persons from South Sudan”, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 90(2), pp. 315–317. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.13-0638.
Eiras, J.C. (2024) “Is it possible to eliminate or eradicate human fish-borne parasitic diseases? A sweet dream or a nightmare?”, Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases, 6(100203), p. 100203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100203.
Gabriel, R. & Sherwood, D. (2022) “Taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of some theraphosid spiders of the Darién region with description of five new species (Araneae: Theraphosidae)”, Revista ibérica de Aracnología, 40, pp. 5–18.
González, R.G. (2021) Elementos de los peces dulceacuícolas de Panamá. Panamá: Rigoberto González Gutiérrez.
Guardone, L. et al. (2021) “First detection of Eustrongylides excisus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) from the lake Massaciuccoli (Northwest Tuscany, Italy): implications for public health and seafood quality”, Food control, 120(107517), p. 107517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107517.
Honcharov, S.L., Soroka, N.M., Halat, M.V., et al. (2022) “Distribution of the nematodes of the genus Eustrongylides (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae) in the world”, Regulatory mechanisms in biosystems, 13(1), pp. 73–79. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.15421/022210.
Honcharov, S.L., Soroka, N.M., Galat, M.V., et al. (2022) “Eustrongylides (Nematoda:Dioctophymatidae): epizootology and special characteristics of the development biology”, Helminthologia, 59(2), pp. 127–142. https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2022-0013.
Lucena, C.A.S.D. & Soares, H.G. (2016) “Review of species of the Astyanax bimaculatus ‘caudal peduncle spot’ subgroup sensu Garutti & Langeani (Characiformes, Characidae) from the rio La Plata and rio São Francisco drainages and coastal systems of southern Brazil and Uruguay”, Zootaxa, 4072(1), pp. 101–125. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4072.1.5.
Mazzone, A. et al. (2019) “Morphological and molecular characterization of larval and adult stages of Eustrongylides excisus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidea) with histopathological observations”, The journal of parasitology, 105(6), p. 882. https://doi.org/10.1645/19-44.
Méndez-Carvajal, P.G. et al. (2021) “Biodiversity assessment at the southeastern side of Darien National Park, Panama”, Mesoamericana, (25), 22–36.
Morey, G.A.M. et al. (2022) “Occurrence of Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in fish species collected in the Peruvian Amazonia and its implications for public health”, Acta parasitologica, 67(3), pp. 1432–1439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00574-w.
Orihel, T.C. & Ash, L.R. (1995) Parasites in Human Tissues. Chicago, IL, Estados Unidos de América: American Society of Clinical Pathologists Press.
Rahmati-Holasoo, H. et al. (2024) “Histopathological, morphological, and molecular characterization of fish-borne zoonotic parasite Eustrongylides excisus infecting Northern pike (Esox lucius) in Iran”, BMC veterinary research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04146-0.
Roche, D.G. et al. (2010) “Higher parasite richness, abundance and impact in native versus introduced cichlid fishes”, International journal for parasitology, 40(13), pp. 1525–1530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.05.007.
Santacruz, A. et al. (2023) “Host-parasite interactions in perpetual darkness: Macroparasite diversity in the cavefish Astyanax mexicanus”, Zoological research, 44(4), pp. 782–792. https://doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.376.
Seinhorst, J.W. (1962) “On the killing, fixation and transferring to glycerin of nematodes”, Nematologica, 8(1), pp. 29–32. https://doi.org/10.1163/187529262x00981.
Silva, M.R. et al. (2014) “Importance of allochthonous resources in the diet of Astyanax aff. fasciatus (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in streams: a longitudinal approach”, Biota Neotropica, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-06032014001613.
Vasquez, O.E. & Rogers, W.A. (1992) “First report of larval Eustrongylides ignotus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in peacock bass in Gatun Lake, Republic of Panama”, Journal of aquatic animal health, 4(2), pp. 152–152. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8667(1992)004<0152:frolei>2.3.co;2.
Vieira-Menezes, F.G., Costa, D.P.C. & Brasil-Sato, M.C. (2017) “Nematodes of Astyanax fasciatus (Actinopterygii: Characidae) and their parasitic indices in the São Francisco River, Brazil”, Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria [Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology], 26(1), pp. 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612016074.
Vilella, F.S., Becker, F.G. & Hartz, S.M. (2002) “Diet of Astyanax species (teleostei, Characidae) in an Atlantic Forest River in southern Brazil”, Brazilian archives of biology and technology, 45(2), pp. 223–232. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-89132002000200015.
Walschburger, T. et al. (2008) Representatividad biológica, transformación antrópica del paisaje en el Complejo Ecorregional Chocó-Darién (CECD) y sus fragmentos más funcionales para la conservación. En Análisis Ecorregional para la construcción de un Plan de Conservación de la Biodiversidad en el Complejo Ecorregional Chocó-Darién. WWF Colombia, Ecotropico y Cecoin
Wittner, M. et al. (1989) “Eustrongylidiasis — A parasitic infection acquired by eating sushi”, The New England journal of medicine, 320(17), pp. 1124–1126. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm198904273201706.

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[1] Angulo, A. et al. (2018) “A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a key to the lower Central American species of the genus”, Journal of fish biology, 92(6), pp. 1866–1887. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13626.

[2] Arepbaev, I. et al. (2022) “Ecological and faunal characteristics of helminths of wetland birds in North-Western Uzbekistan”, Biosystems diversity, 30(4), pp. 380–387. https://doi.org/10.15421/012237.

[3] Carol, E. et al. (2022) “Origin and dynamics of surface water - groundwater flows that sustain the Matusagaratí Wetland, Panamá”, Aquatic sciences, 84(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-021-00847-y.

[4] Eberhard, M.L. et al. (1989) “Intestinal perforation caused by larval Eustrongylides (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidae) in New Jersey”, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 40(6), pp. 648–650. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1989.40.648.

[5] Eberhard, M.L. & Ruiz-Tiben, E. (2014) “Cutaneous emergence of Eustrongylides in two persons from South Sudan”, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 90(2), pp. 315–317. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.13-0638.

[6] Eiras, J.C. (2024) “Is it possible to eliminate or eradicate human fish-borne parasitic diseases? A sweet dream or a nightmare?”, Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases, 6(100203), p. 100203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100203.

[7] Gabriel, R. & Sherwood, D. (2022) “Taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of some theraphosid spiders of the Darién region with description of five new species (Araneae: Theraphosidae)”, Revista ibérica de Aracnología, 40, pp. 5–18.

[8] González, R.G. (2021) Elementos de los peces dulceacuícolas de Panamá. Panamá: Rigoberto González Gutiérrez.

[9] Guardone, L. et al. (2021) “First detection of Eustrongylides excisus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) from the lake Massaciuccoli (Northwest Tuscany, Italy): implications for public health and seafood quality”, Food control, 120(107517), p. 107517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107517.

[10] Honcharov, S.L., Soroka, N.M., Halat, M.V., et al. (2022) “Distribution of the nematodes of the genus Eustrongylides (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae) in the world”, Regulatory mechanisms in biosystems, 13(1), pp. 73–79. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.15421/022210.

[11] Honcharov, S.L., Soroka, N.M., Galat, M.V., et al. (2022) “Eustrongylides (Nematoda:Dioctophymatidae): epizootology and special characteristics of the development biology”, Helminthologia, 59(2), pp. 127–142. https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2022-0013.

[12] Lucena, C.A.S.D. & Soares, H.G. (2016) “Review of species of the Astyanax bimaculatus ‘caudal peduncle spot’ subgroup sensu Garutti & Langeani (Characiformes, Characidae) from the rio La Plata and rio São Francisco drainages and coastal systems of southern Brazil and Uruguay”, Zootaxa, 4072(1), pp. 101–125. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4072.1.5.

[13] Mazzone, A. et al. (2019) “Morphological and molecular characterization of larval and adult stages of Eustrongylides excisus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidea) with histopathological observations”, The journal of parasitology, 105(6), p. 882. https://doi.org/10.1645/19-44.

[14] Méndez-Carvajal, P.G. et al. (2021) “Biodiversity assessment at the southeastern side of Darien National Park, Panama”, Mesoamericana, (25), 22–36.

[15] Morey, G.A.M. et al. (2022) “Occurrence of Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in fish species collected in the Peruvian Amazonia and its implications for public health”, Acta parasitologica, 67(3), pp. 1432–1439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00574-w.

[16] Orihel, T.C. & Ash, L.R. (1995) Parasites in Human Tissues. Chicago, IL, Estados Unidos de América: American Society of Clinical Pathologists Press.

[17] Rahmati-Holasoo, H. et al. (2024) “Histopathological, morphological, and molecular characterization of fish-borne zoonotic parasite Eustrongylides excisus infecting Northern pike (Esox lucius) in Iran”, BMC veterinary research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04146-0.

[18] Roche, D.G. et al. (2010) “Higher parasite richness, abundance and impact in native versus introduced cichlid fishes”, International journal for parasitology, 40(13), pp. 1525–1530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.05.007.

[19] Santacruz, A. et al. (2023) “Host-parasite interactions in perpetual darkness: Macroparasite diversity in the cavefish Astyanax mexicanus”, Zoological research, 44(4), pp. 782–792. https://doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.376.

[20] Seinhorst, J.W. (1962) “On the killing, fixation and transferring to glycerin of nematodes”, Nematologica, 8(1), pp. 29–32. https://doi.org/10.1163/187529262x00981.

[21] Silva, M.R. et al. (2014) “Importance of allochthonous resources in the diet of Astyanax aff. fasciatus (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in streams: a longitudinal approach”, Biota Neotropica, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-06032014001613.

[22] Vasquez, O.E. & Rogers, W.A. (1992) “First report of larval Eustrongylides ignotus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) in peacock bass in Gatun Lake, Republic of Panama”, Journal of aquatic animal health, 4(2), pp. 152–152. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8667(1992)004<0152:frolei>2.3.co;2.

[23] Vieira-Menezes, F.G., Costa, D.P.C. & Brasil-Sato, M.C. (2017) “Nematodes of Astyanax fasciatus (Actinopterygii: Characidae) and their parasitic indices in the São Francisco River, Brazil”, Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria [Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology], 26(1), pp. 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612016074.

[24] Vilella, F.S., Becker, F.G. & Hartz, S.M. (2002) “Diet of Astyanax species (teleostei, Characidae) in an Atlantic Forest River in southern Brazil”, Brazilian archives of biology and technology, 45(2), pp. 223–232. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-89132002000200015.

[25] Walschburger, T. et al. (2008) Representatividad biológica, transformación antrópica del paisaje en el Complejo Ecorregional Chocó-Darién (CECD) y sus fragmentos más funcionales para la conservación. En Análisis Ecorregional para la construcción de un Plan de Conservación de la Biodiversidad en el Complejo Ecorregional Chocó-Darién. WWF Colombia, Ecotropico y Cecoin

[26] Wittner, M. et al. (1989) “Eustrongylidiasis — A parasitic infection acquired by eating sushi”, The New England journal of medicine, 320(17), pp. 1124–1126. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm198904273201706.

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