ABSTRACT There are few studies about parasitic infections in Crotalus triseriatus (Wagler, 1830), an endemic rattlesnake from the highlands of central Mexico. This species occupies several habitats, from conserved forested regions to heavily impacted landscapes. To increase the parasitological knowledge of this reptile species without impacting populations, we obtained fecal samples of 16 rattlesnakes between 2012 and 2014 from Toluca Valley, Mexico. By using flotation technique, we found oocysts of Eimeria sp. and eggs of Capillariidae sp. The most frequent parasite was Eimeria sp. (62.5%). This study provides the first records of occurrence of parasites in reptilian feces from Mexico. Our results may be important for wildlife conservation purposes, for example, they could indicate of the population health of this species during processes of translocation.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to determine whether Neospora caninum is prevalent in beef cattle in Tamaulipas (Mexico), using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit in 182 serum samples from six municipalities with different climates. The overall seroprevalence was 11.9% in animals and 78.6% in herds.

RESUMEN. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si Neospora caninum está presente en bovinos de carne en Tamaulipas (México) usando una prueba comercial de análisis inmunoenzimático (ELISA) en 182 muestras de suero sanguíneo de seis municipios con climas diferentes. La seroprevalencia global fue de 11,9% en animales y 78,6% en hatos.

ABSTRACT Biological response modifiers such as pro and prebiotics have been recently used in aquaculture showing abilities as immunostimulants, enhancing resistance to different fungal, bacterial and parasitic pathogens and tolerance to environmental stress. This experiment evaluated three different concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.5%) of β-1,3/1,6 glucans on nonspecific immune parameters of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Results showed that intake supplementation with 0.05% of β-1,3/1,6 glucans provides a greater immunostimulation over the fourth treatment week. Significant higher differences (P < 0.05) were obtained on parameters related to phagocytic activity on blood cells, also other assays showed more reactive cells to nitroblue tetrazolium (NbT) stain on spleen and head kidney analysis. We conclude that the use of 0.05% of β-1,3/1,6 glucans added to a commercial diet improves nonspecific immune system of channel catfish I. punctatus.

RESUMEN Objetivo . Evaluar los efectos del estrés agudo debido al manejo y captura sobre los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos en bagre de canal (Ictalurus punctatus) bajo cultivo. Materiales y métodos . Los peces (200 g promedio) fueron mantenidos en tanques de cultivo y divididos en dos tratamientos, por duplicado, (n= 15 x 2 x 2 = 60 peces). Treinta bagres fueron expuestos por 5 min a estrés agudo (TE) por manejo y captura, mientras que otro grupo no (grupo control, TnE). Diez peces de cada tratamiento fueron colectados a las 0, 6, y 24 h post-estrés para la extracción de sangre, los bagres del TnE fueron anestesiados durante su manejo y captura. Se evaluó el hemograma (método manual) y bioquímica sanguínea (espectrofotometría). Los resultados fueron analizados mediante la prueba de t student. Resultados . El contenido de eritrocitos, hematocrito, hemoglobina y glucosa de los animales TE fue significativamente mayor (p<0.05) a las 6 h post-estrés en comparación de TnE. Las células inmune en peces TE disminuyeron a las 6 y 24 h post-estrés, siendo leucocitos y linfocitos significativamente menores en el TnE (p<0.05) a las 24 h post-estrés. Otros parámetros evaluados no presentaron diferencias significativas en lo largo del estudio. Conclusiones . Los resultados sugieren que varios indicadores hematológicos y bioquímica sanguínea en los peces son alterados por el estrés agudo ocasionado por manejo y captura.

ABSTRACT Objetive . Evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters of culture channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) under acute stress by management and capture practice. Materials and methods . Fish (200 g mean) were maintained in culture tanks and divided in two treatments, in duplicate, (n=15x2x2=60 fishes). Thirty catfish were exposed for 5 min to acute stress (TE) by management and capture practice, while other group not (control group, TnE). 10 fish for treatment were collected at 0, 6, and 24 h post-stress for blood collection, where TnE fishes were anesthetized along work. Complete blood count (manual method) and blood biochemical (spectrophotometry) of fish samples were evaluated and their results were analyzed using a Student's t-distribution. Results . The erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and glucose level of TE animals was significantly higher (p<0.05) at 6 h post-stress, in comparison of TnE. Immune cells in fish TE decreased at 6 and 24 h post-stress, where leukocytes and lymphocytes were significantly lower that TnE (p<0.05) at 24 h post-stress. Other evaluated parameters did not show significant differences along this study. Conclusions . Those results suggest that several hematological and blood biochemical parameters in fish changed by acute stress generated by management and capture practice.

The presence of diseases caused by virus and bacteria pose a threat to the capture and commercialization of shrimp, and may cause significant economic damage. Nocturnal monthly sampling were conducted to detect the presence of IHHNV, WSSV, and NHP in San Andres Lagoon in Tamaulipas, Mexico, an important coastal ecosystem due to its shrimp fishery and the existence of shrimp farms in the area. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in the shrimp tissue did not detect the presence of IHHNV, however, WSSV was detected, as well as NHP during July and August, when low salinities and high temperatures were recorded.

Diseases are of particular importance for aquaculture worldwide, particularly in intensive culture. In Mexico, intensive culture of channel catfish is mainly done in floating cages. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of the myxozoan Henneguya and the effect of site, period and host length on its prevalence in cage-cultured channel catfish. Over a year, fish were examined on six different sites. Results showed the presence of Henneguya exilis in all the farms. However, no significant effects were observed for site and season on prevalence, nor was there a correlation between host length and infection prevalence.

Las enfermedades tienen una gran importancia en la acuacultura mundial, especialmente en sistemas de cultivo intensivos. En México, el cultivo intensivo del bagre de canal se realiza principalmente en jaulas flotantes. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue el determinar la presencia del myxozoo Henneguya y el efecto del lugar, periodo y longitud del huésped con la prevalencia en el bagre de canal en jaulas de cultivo. Durante un año, se examinaron peces obtenidos de granjas en seis localidades. Los resultados mostraron la presencia de Henneguya exilis en todas las granjas, sin embargo no se observaron efectos significativos para el sitio y época en la prevalencia, ni hubo una correlación entre la prevalencia de la infección y la longitud del huésped.