The metazoan parasite fauna of
Hippoglossina macrops
(n = 123) from northern Chile (30°S) is quantitatively described for the first time, and the role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were recovered, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolidae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nematoda). The copepod
Holobomolochus chilensis
, the monogenean
Neoheterobothrium
sp., the adult acanthocephalan
Floridosentis
sp. and the hirudinean,
Gliptonobdella
sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent ectoparasitic species were the monogenean,
Neoheterobothrium
sp. and the copepod,
H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans
Floridosentis sp. and
Corynosoma australe
were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affected by host sex, however the prevalence of
Floridosentis sp. was significantly greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with host age for
Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for
Floridosentis sp. and
H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host
H. macrops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of
H. macrops, its feeding habits and ecological habitats are discussed.
