Abstract

We compared the local and geographical variation of parasite infracommunities of the anchovy Engraulis ringens from 3 fishing areas off Chile (Caldera, Talcahuano and Valdivia), in 7 samples taken from different vessels. Body lengths of fish in the samples, richness, diversity and composition of parasite infracommunities revealed significant local variations among trawls, while only the composition of the parasite fauna showed significant geographical variations among fishing zones. Parasite infracommunities in hosts from Caldera were the most different and were characterized by ectoparasites, whereas those from Talcahuano and Valdivia harboured more endoparasites, mostly digeneans. These results confirm the existence of 2 stocks on the Chilean coast. This study is also the first report of parasitism in anchovies from Valdivia.