Trematodiasis in some fishes from Cuitzeo lake, Michoacan, Mexico

In September, 1995 and January, 1996, six species of fishes from Lake Cuitzeo, Michoacan, Mexico, were collected (Alloophorus robustus n=30, Goodea atripinnis n=30, Xenotoca variata n=41, Chirostoma jordani n=30, Carassius auratus n=30 and Oreochromis aureus n=30), to establish the infection levels reached by Posthodiplostomum minimum, Clinostomum complanatum and Diplostomum (Tylodelphys) sp., in their hosts. Infection caused by P. minimum metacercariae was the most important helminthiasis considering the number of hosts they parasite (five of six), and the high levels of abundance of the infection; we suggest that fish preferences and the generalist character of the trematode are the causes that determine this infection. Finally, the role of goodeids and atherinids in transmission of infections in the lake is confirmed; the former being the main group maintaining such infections.