Fiocruz researchers discover two new worm species in Rio de Janeiro

Researchers from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) have discovered two new species of parasitic worms in lambari fish within the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The organisms, belonging to the Dactylogyridae family, were identified in the gills of the fish during a study at the Fiocruz Mata Atlântica Campus.

The new species have been named Diaphorocleidus santosclappae and Jainus mataatlanticaensis. The findings, published in the scientific journal Zootaxa, highlight the importance of studying parasites in urban aquatic environments. The collection took place in the Engenho Novo and Pavuninha river valleys, an area that includes part of the Pedra Branca State Park.