Three species of protistan and 22 species of metazoan parasites were
obtained from a sample of 179 flatfish, (Paralichthys adspersus) taken-off
Antofagasta, northern Chile. Prevalence of infection of seven parasites
(Protista: 1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 1, Acantocephala: 1, Nematoda: 2) was
significantly and positively correlated with host size. Host's sex do not
seem to affect prevalence of infection, except for Nybelinia surmenicola,
Capillaria sp. and Anisakis sp. (prevalence of infection significantly
greater in males than females) and Philometra sp. (prevalence higher in
females). Mean abundance is correlated with size in nine species (Protista:
1, Copepoda: 2, Digenea: 3, Acantocephala: 1, Nematoda: 2). Host's sex do
not affect mean abundance, except for Cainocreadium sp. and Philometra
sp.(mean abundance higher in females) and Nybelinia surmenicola, Capillaria
sp. and Anisakis sp. (mean abundance higher in males).
