Does hemoparasite infection affect the hematological and plasma biochemical profile of free-living Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon orbignyi?

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of hemoparasites and their effects on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters in stingrays from the lower Solimões River region, Amazonas. 130 juvenile stingrays were captured, 81 specimens of Potamotrygon motoro and 49 of Potamotrygon orbignyi. Gametocytes of Cyrilia sp. were found to be infected with mature erythrocytes, with parasitemia ranging from 0 to 1.9% of infected cells. The prevalence of infection was 49.2%, with no significant differences in prevalence or parasitemia between species or between males and females of both species studied. This data may help monitor the health of these wild populations.