Marine Parasitology

The second research theme of the Marine Zoology Unit concerns parasite studies of marine mammals, sea turtles and fish. Studies include taxonomy, both conventional and molecular, ecology and evolution of the parasite species. Particularly, some pioneering studies have focused on the ecological and evolutionary determinants of parasite community structure in cetaceans and sea turtles.

Several studies carried out by our group have used parasite data to obtain information on the migration and social structure of marine mammal populations. Applied research within fisheries and aquaculture concerns the distribution of anisakid nematodes in commercial fish, parasites of cultured Mediterranean amberjacks Seriola dumerili, the Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus and other species for Mediterranean aquaculture, and the use of parasite data to predict harvest location of fish. The Marine Zoology Unit is currently part of a consortium of six labs funded by the EC’s 5th Framework Programme to develop and optimise methods aimed at tracing the location of harvest and spawning of cod (CODTRACE). Our unit contributes to the project by developing techniques based on the analysis of parasite assemblages.

Representative Projects

  • “Trematodos parásitos de peces de la acuicultura mediterránea: ciclos vitales y cambio global” subvencionado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad nº AGL2015-68405-R (MINECO/FEDER) (2016-2019).
  •  “Estudio de las parasitosis de atún rojo del Atlántico en jaulas del Mediterráneo español” ayudas de la convocatoria de la Universitat de València de Proyectos Coordinados entre Personal Investigador perteneciente a Microclusters de Investigación del VLC/CAMPUS (MCI) y Empresas (2015).
  • Parásitos como indicadores de impacto ambiental a largo plazo en las poblaciones de cetáceos mediterráneos. Subvencionado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad nº CGL2012-39545.
  • Red Valenciana de Investigación y Desarrollo sobre Patología en Acuicultura (REVIDPAQUA). Subvencionado por la Conselleria de Educación, Proyecto de Redes de Excelencia, nº ISIC/2012/003. (http://revidpaqua.blogs.uv.es/)
  • Parásitos del atún rojo atlántico oriental (Thunnus thynnus) en poblaciones naturales y en cautividad. Comunidades y patologías asociadas, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº AGL2010-20892.
  • Origen y diversificación de los digeneos parásitos de cetáceos: aspectos coevolutivos y biogeográficos, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº AGL2010-20892.
  • Indicadores de salud de comunidades ícticas del Mediterráneo profundo: impactos antropogénicos y variabilidad natural (ANTROMARE). Subvencionado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº CTM2009-12214-C02-02.
  • Effects of climate change and pollution on aquatic parasite communities. Subvencionado por la Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.
  • From communities to individuals: development of an early warning system to assess the relationship between climate warming and pollution in European freshwater ecosystems (PARAWARM). Subvencionado por la EU nº Marie Curie PIEF-GA-2009-236127.
  • Comunidades parasitas de tres especies de mugílidos simpátricos en el mediterráneo español, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº CGL2008-02701.
  • Historia evolutiva de la familia Polymorphidae (Acanthocephala) en aves acuáticas y mamíferos marinos: diversidad comparada, biogeografía y ecomorfología, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº CGL2007-63221.
  • Identificación de biomarcadores del impacto antropogénico en comunidades marinas: una aproximación ecosistémica (BIOMARE). Subvencionado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación nº CTM2006-28145-E/MAR.
  • Parásitos patógenos del sargo picudo: evaluación de su riesgo de transmisión a cultivos de dorada”, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia nº AGL2005-01221.
  • Pathogens and parasites in Mediterranean aquaculture, Marie Curie Host Fellowships for Transfer of Knowledge de la Comisión Europea, nº FP6-MTKD-CT-2004-014501.
  • Transmisión, profilaxis y tratamiento de Zeuxapta seriolae en cultivos de Seriola dumerili en el Mediterráneo, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología nº BOS2002-00878.
  • Estudio de los patógenos bacterianos y parasitarios de Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810). Subvencionado por la Generalitat Valenciana nº GV-D-AG-02-138/96.
  • Establishing traceability for cod (Gadus morhua): determining location of spawning and harvest. European Commission, 5th Framework Programme, Q5RS-2001-01697. Link.
  • Parasites assemblages as indicators of the harvest location of fish, European Commission 5th Framework Programme, Q5HPMD-2000-00037.
  • Estudio de las anisakidosis en pescado fresco de consumo en la Comunidad Valenciana, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia nº 1FD97-1147 (1999‑2001).
  • Estudio de las comunidades de helmintos gastrointestinales  de Cetáceos  Odontocetos, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia nº PB96‑0801.

Representative Publications

 

  • Pool, R.; Romero-Rubira, C.; Raga, J.A.; Fernández, M.; Aznar, F.J. (2021) Determinants of lungworm specificity in five species of cetacean in the western Mediterranean. Parasites & Vectors, 14: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04629-1
  • Palacios Abella, J.F.; Montero, F.E.; Merella, P.; Mele, S.; Raga, J.A.; Repullés-Albelda, A. (2021) Cardicola mediterraneus n. sp. (Trematoda, Aporocotylidae): a new species infecting the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., from the Western Mediterranean Sea. Parasitology Research, 120: 1949-1963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07143-6
  • Ebert, M.B., Fernández, M., Valente, A.L.S., Cremer, M.J., de Castilho, P.V., da Silva, R. J. (2021). Ascocotyle longa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) infecting dolphins from the Atlantic Ocean. Parasitology Research, 120: 347-353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06956-1
  • Pons-Bordas, C., Hazenberg, A., Hernandez-Gonzalez, A., Pool, R. V., Covelo, P., Sánchez-Hermosin, P., López, A, C. Saavedra, C., Fraija-Fernández, N., Fernández, M., Aznar, F. J. (2020). Recent increase of ulcerative lesions caused by Anisakis spp. in cetaceans from the north-east Atlantic. Journal of Helminthology, 94: e127, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X20000115
  • Wee, N.Q., Cutmore, S.C., Pérez-del-Olmo, A., Cribb, T.H. (2020). First steps to restructuring the problematic genus Lasiotocus Looss, 1907 (Digenea: Monorchiidae) with the proposal of four new genera. Parasitology International, 79, 102164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2020.102164
  • Pool, R.; Chandradeva, N.; Gkafas, G.; Raga, J.A.; Fernández, M.; Aznar, F.J. (2020). Transmission and predictors of burden of lungworms of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the western Mediterranean. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 56(1): 86-191. https://doi.org/10.7589/2018-10-242
  • Van Bressem, M.F.; Duignan, P.; Raga, J.A.; Van Waerebeek, K.; Fraija-Fernández, M.; Plön, S. (2020). Cranial crassicaudiasis in Indian Ocean humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins from South Africa is predominantly a disease of immature individuals. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 139: 93–102. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03468
  • Villora-Montero, M.; Pérez-Del-Olmo, A.; Georgieva, S.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2020). Considerations on the taxonomy and morphology of Microcotyle spp.: Redescription of M. erythrini van Beneden & Hesse, 1863 (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) and the description of a new species from D. dentex (L.) (Teleostei: Sparidae). Parasites & Vectors, 13: 45 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-3878-9
  • Pool, R.; Fernández, M.; Chandradeva, N.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2020).  The taxonomic status of Skrjabinalius guevarai Gallego and Selva, 1979, with the synonymy of Skrjabinalius Delyamure 1942 and Halocercus Baylis and Daubney, 1925. Systematic Parasitology, 97: 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-020-09921-9
  •  Hernández-Orts, J.S.; Alama-Bermejo, G.; García, N.A.; Crespo, E.A.; Montero, F.E.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2019) Acanthocephalans from marine fishes from Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Parasitology, 105 (1): 162-169.
  • Villar-Torres, M.; Repullés-Albelda, A; Montero, F.E.; Raga, J.A.; Blasco Costa, I. (2019) Neither Diplectanum nor specific: A dramatic twist to the taxonomic framework of Diplectanum (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae). International Journal for Parasitology, 49: 365-374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.201811.003
  • Pérez-Del-Olmo A; Nachev M; Zimmermann S; Fernández M; Sures B. (2019) Medium-term dynamics of element concentrations in a sparid fish and its isopod parasite after the Prestige oil-spill: Shifting baselines? Science of the Total Environment 686: 648-656.
  • Shiozaki A; Amano M; Fernández M; Fraija-Fernández N. (2019) Revision of the taxonomic status of Synthesium elongatum (Ozaki, 1935) (Brachycladiidae), an intestinal digenean of narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 81(4) :601-60.
  • Isbert W.; Pérez-Del-Olmo A.; Montero F.E.; Carrassón M. (2019) Seasonal and depth related variation of parasite communities of Notacanthus bonaparte Risso; 1840 (Notacanthiformes: Notacanthidae) over the Northwest Mediterranean slope. Deep-Sea Research Part I-Oceanographic Research Papers, 153: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.103103
  • Kostadinova, A., Pérez-Del-Olmo, A. (2019) The systematics of the trematode. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 1154: 21-42.
  • Mendoza-Palmero, C.A., Blasco-Costa, I., Pérez-Ponce de León, G. (2019) Morphological and molecular characterisation of a new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenoidea: Gyrodactylidae) of cichlid fishes (Perciformes) from Mexico. Parasitology International 70: 102-111.
  • Hernández-Orts, J. S.; Montero, F.E.; García, N.A.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; García-Varela, M.; Aznar, F.J. (2019) Transmission of Corynosoma australe (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from cephalopods and fishes to South American sea lions Otaria flavescens from Patagonia, Argentina. Parasitology Research, 118(2): 433-440. doi: 10.1007/s00436-018-6177-z
  • Bray, L.; Digka, N.; Tsangaris, C.; Camedda, A.; Gambaiani, D.; De Lucia, G.A.; Matiddi, M.; Miaud, C.; Palazzo, L.; Pérez-Del-Olmo, A.; Raga, J.A.; Silvestri , C.; Kaberi, H. (2019) Determining the most suitable fish to monitor plastic ingestion trends in the Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Pollution, 247: 1071-1077. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.201901.100
  • Villar-Torres M, Montero, FE, Raga JA, Repullés-Albelda A (2018) Come rain or shine: environmental effects on the infective stages of Sparicotyle chrysophrii, a key pathogen in Mediterranean aquaculture. Parasites & Vectors, 11 (558): 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3139-3
  • Palacios-Abella JF, Raga JA, Mele S, Montero FE (2018) Blood fluke diseases in Pagellus spp. (Sparidae): description of the pathology and erection of a new species in the blackspot seabream P. bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768). Aquaculture, 495: 472–483.
  • Isbert W, Montero FE, Pérez-del-Olmo A, López-Sanz A, Reñones O, Orejas C (2018) Parasite communities of the white seabream (Diplodus sargus sargus) in the Marine Protected Area of Medes Islands (NW Mediterranean). Journal of Fish Biology, 93(4):586-596.
  • Cabrera-Gil S, Deshmukh A, Cervera-Estevan C, Fraija-Fernández N, Fernandez M, Aznar FJ. (2018) Anisakis infections in lantern fish (Myctophidae) from the Arabian Sea: a dual role for lantern fish in the life cycle of Anisakis brevispiculata? Deep Sea Research, 141: 43-50.
  • Fraija-Fernández N, Ramos-Esplà AA, Raduán MA, Blanco C, Raga JA, Aznar JF, (2018) Consumption of pelagic tunicates by calves of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Marine Science, 19/2: 383-387.
  • Holzer AS, Bartošová-Sojková P, Born-Torrijos A, Lövy A, Hartigan A, Fiala I 2018 The joint evolution of the Myxozoa and their alternate hosts: A cnidarian recipe for success and vast biodiversity. Molecular Ecology 27: 1651-1666.
  • Yanes-Roca C, Mráz J, Born-Torrijos A, Holzer AS, Imentai A, Policar T (2018) Introduction of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) during pike-perch first feeding. Aquaculture 497: 260-268.
  • Fraija-Fernández N, Hernández A, Ahuir-Baraja AE, Raga JA, Aznar JF, (2018) Taxonomic status and epidemiology of the mesoparasitic copepod Pennella balaenoptera in cetaceans from the western Mediterranean. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 128: 249–258.
  • Aznar FJ, Hernández-Orts JS, Vélez-Rubio G, Fernández M, Muriel NT, Raga JA, (2018) Reproductive inequalities in the acantocephalan Corynosoma cetaceum: looking beyond “crowding” effects. Parasites & Vectors, 11 (203): 1-9.
  • Hernández-Orts, J.S.; Brandão, M.; Georgieva, S.; Raga, J.A.; Crespo, E.A.; Luque, J.L.; Aznar, F.J. (2017). From mammals back to birds: host-switch of the acanthocephalan Corynosoma australe from pinnipeds to the Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus. PLoS ONE, 12(10): e0183809.
  •  Palacios-Abella, J.F., Rodríguez-Llanosa, J.; Villora-Montero, M.; Mele, S.; Raga, J.A., Montero, F.E. (2017) Diagnostic accuracy of the light microscope method to detect the eggs of Cardicola spp. in the gill filaments of the bluefin tuna. Veterinary Parasitology, 47: 26-32.
  •  Born-Torrijos, A.; Holzer, A.S.; Raga, J.A.; Van Beest, G.S.; Yoneva, A. (2017). Description of embryonic development and ultrastructure in miracidia of Cardiocephaloides longicollis (Digenea, Strigeidae) in relation to active host finding strategy in a marine environment. Journal of Morphology, 278: 1137-1148
  •  Fraija-Fernández, N.; Fernández, M.; Gozalbes, P.; Revuelta, O.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar F.J. (2017). Living on a harsh habitat: epidemiology of the whale louse, Syncyamus aequus (Cyamidae), in striped dolphins from the western Mediterranean. Journal of Zoology, 303: 199–206, DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12482
  • Fraija-Fernández, N.; Fernández, M.; Lehnert, K.; Raga, J.A.; Siebert, U.; Aznar F.J. (2017). Long-distance travellers: phylogeography of a generalist parasite, Pholeter gastrophilus, from Cetaceans. PLoS ONE, 12(1): e0170184. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170184  
  • Domènech, F.; Tomás, J.; Crespo-Picazo, J.L.; García-Parraga, D.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar F.J.  (2017). To swim or not to swim: potential transmission of Balaenophilus manatorum (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) in marine turtles. PLoS ONE, 12(1): e0170789. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170789
  •  Born-Torrijos, A.; Poulin, R.; Pérez-Del-Olmo, A.; Culurgioni, J.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2016). An optimized multi-host trematode life cycle: fisheries discards enhance trophic parasite transmission to scavenging birds. International Journal for Parasitology, 46: 745–753 
  • Mateu, P.;  Nardi, V.; Fraija-Fernández, N.; Mattiucci, S.; Gil De Sola, L.;  Raga, J.A., Fernández, M.; Aznar, F.J (2015). The role of lantern fish (Myctophidae) and cephalopods in the life-cycle of cetacean parasites from western Mediterranean waters. Deep Sea Research I, 95: 115–121.
  • Ahuir-Baraja, A.E.; Padros, F.; Palacio-Abella, J.F.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2015). Accacoelium contortum (Trematoda: Accacoeliidae) a trematode living as a monogenean: morphological and pathological implications. Parasites & Vectors, 8: 540  doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1162-1
  •  Fraija-Fernández, N.; Fernández, M.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2015). Life-history trade-offs in a generalist digenean from cetaceans: the role of host specificity and environmental factors.  Parasites & Vectors, 8(1): 659  doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1273-8
  •  Carrillo, J.M.; Overstreet, R.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2015). Living on the edge: Settlement patterns by the symbiotic barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis on small cetaceans. PLoS ONE, 10 (6): e0127367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127367
  • Fraija-Fernández, N.; Olson, P.D.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.; Fernandez, M. (2015). Independent host capture of Cetaceans by Digenean parasites inferred from ribosomal DNA.  International Journal for Parasitology, 45: 167–173. 
  • Born-Torrijos, A.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A. (2015). Trematode maturation patterns in a migratory snail host: What happens during upshore residency in a Mediterranean lagoon? Parasitology Research, 115: 575-585. doi:10.1007/s00436-015-4774-7. 
  • Sánchez-García, N.; Ahuir-Baraja, A.E.; Raga, J.A.; Montero F.E.  (2015). Morphometric, molecular and ecological analyses of the parasites of the sharpsnout seabream Diplodus puntazzo Cetti (Sparidae) from the Spanish Mediterranean: implications for aquaculture. Journal of Helminthology: 89 (2): 217-231
  • Sánchez-García, N.; Raga, J. A.; Montero, F. E. (2014) Risk assessment for parasites in cultures of Diplodus puntazzo (Sparidae) in the Western Mediterranean: Prospects of cross infection with Sparus aurata. Veterinary Parasitology, 204 (3-4): 120-133.
  • Born-Torrijos, A.; Holzer, A.; Raga, J.A.; Kostadinova, A. (2014) Same host, same lagoon, different transmission pathways: effects of exogenous factors on larval emergence in two marine digenean parasites. Parasitological Research, 113: 545-554.
  • Fraija, N.; Aznar, F.J.; Raga, J.A.; Gibson, D.; Fernandez, M. (2014). A new brachycladiid species (Digenea) from Gervais’ beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus in north-western Atlantic waters. Acta Parasitologica, 59 (3): 510–517.
  • Mateu, P., Montero, F. E., Carrasson, M. (2014). Geographical variation in Metazoan parasites of the deep-sea fish Bathypterois mediterraneus Bauchot, 1962 (Osteichthyes: Ipnopidae) from the Western Mediterranean. Deep Sea Research I, 87: 24-29.
  • Pérez-Del-Olmo A., Dallarés S., Carrassón M., Kostadinova A. (2014) A new species of Bathycreadium Kabata, 1961 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Phycis blennoides (Brünnich) (Gadiformes: Phycidae) in the western Mediterranean. Systematic Parasitology, 88, 233–244.
  • Mateu, P., Raga, J.A., Fernández, M.; Aznar, F.J. (2014). Intestinal helminth fauna of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the western Mediterranean: effects of host body length, age and sex. Marine Mammal Science, 30: 961-977.
  • Hernandez-Orts, J.S.; Alama-Bermejo, G.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2014). A revision of the genus Neogrubea Dillon & Hargis, 1968 (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae), parasites of the gills of stromateoideis and percoideis (Teleostei: Perciformes): new morphological and molecular data from the Patagonian coast of Argentina. Systematic Parasitology 89: 59-72.
  • Born-Torrijos, A.; Poulin, R.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A. (2014) Estimating trematode prevalence in snail hosts using a single-step duplex PCR: how badly does cercarial shedding underestimate infection rate? Parasites & Vectors, 7: 243. doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-243.
  • Balbuena JA, Míguez Lozano R, Blasco Costa I (2013) PACo: A Novel Procrustes Application to Cophylogenetic Analysis. PLoS ONE 8(4): e61048
  • Alama-Bermejo, G.; Sima, R.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2013). Understanding myxozoan infection dynamics in the sea: Seasonality and transmission of Ceratomyxa puntazzi. International Journal for Parasitology, 43: 771-780.
  • García-Varela, M.; Pérez-Ponce De León, G., Aznar, F.J., Nadler, S.A. (2013). Phylogenetic relationship among genera of Polymorphidae (Acanthocephala), inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 68: 176-184.
  • Hernández-Orts, J.S.; Aznar, F.J.; Blasco-Costa, I.; Garcia, N.A..; Víllora- Montero, M.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2013). Description, microhabitat selection and infection patterns of sealworm larvae (Pseudoterranova decipiens species complex, Nematoda: Ascaridoidea) in fishes from Patagonia, Argentina. Parasites & Vectors, 6: 1-15 doi:10.1186/1756-3305-6-252
  • Hernandez-Orts, J.S.; Montero, F.E.; Juan-García, A.; García, N.A.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2013). Intestinal helminth fauna of the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, and the South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, from northern Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Helminthology, 87: 336–347. doi:10.1017/S0022149X12000454
  • Leonardi, M.S.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2013). Lousy mums: patterns of vertical transmission of an amphibious louse. Parasitology Research, 112: 3315-3323. doi:1007/s00436-013-3511-3.Georgieva S., Soldánová M., Pérez-Del-Olmo A., Dangel D.R., Sitko J., Sures B. & Kostadinova A. (2013) Molecular prospecting for European Diplostomum (Digenea: Diplostomidae) reveals cryptic diversity. International Journal for Parasitology, 43: 57–72.
  • Gregori, M, FJ Aznar, E Abollo, A Roura, AF Gonzalez, S Pascual (2013). Nyctiphanes couchi as intermediate host for Rhadinorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala, Echinorhynchidae) from NW Iberian Peninsula waters. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 105: 9-20.
  • Georgieva S.; Soldánová M.; Pérez-del-Olmo A.; Dangel D.R.; Sitko J.; Sures B.; Kostadinova A. (2013). Molecular prospecting for European Diplostomum (Digenea: Diplostomidae) reveals cryptic diversity. International Journal for Parasitology 43: 57–72.
  • Repullés-Albelda, A.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga J. A.; Montero, F. E. (2013) Seasonal population dynamics of Zeuxapta seriolae (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) parasitizing Seriola dumerili (Carangidae) in the Western Mediterranean. Veterinary Parasitology, 193(1-3): 163-171.
  • Quiñones, R.; Giovannini, A.; Raga, J.A.; Fernández, M. (2013). Intestinal helminth fauna of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, and common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, from the western Mediterranean. Journal of Parasitology, 99: 576–579.
  • Pérez-del-Olmo A.; Kostadinova A.; Morand S. (2013). Metapopulation dynamics in marine parasites. In: The Balance of Nature and Human Impact. Ed.: Klaus Rohde.  Cambridge University Press. 413 pp.
  • Alama-Bermejo, G.; Born, J.E.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2012). 3D Morphology, Ultrastructure and Development of Ceratomyxa puntazzi Stages: First Insights into the Mechanisms of Motility and Budding in the Myxozoa. PLoS ONE 7(2): 1-15 e32679. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0032679
  • Repullés-Albelda, A.; Holzer, A.S.; Raga J. A.; Montero, F. E. (2012) Oncomiracidial development, survival and swimming behaviour of the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Van Beneden and Hesse, 1863). Aquaculture, 338: 47-55.
  • Hernandez-Orts, J.S.; Montero, F.E.; Crespo, E.A.; García, N.A.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2012).  Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) patagoniensis n. sp. (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, off Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Parasitology, 98: 810–816.
  • Leonardi, M.S.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Fernández, M. (2012) Scanning Electron Microscopy of Antarctophthirus microchir (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae): studying morphological adaptations to aquatic life. Micron, 43: 929-936.
  • Santoro, M, Jm Kinsella, G. Galiero, B Degli Ubert, Fj. Aznar (2012). Helminth community structure in birds of prey (Accpitriformes and Falconiformes) in southern Italy. Journal of Parasitology 98: 22-29.
  • Garcia-Varela, M, Fj Aznar, R. Perez-Rodriguez And G Pérez.Ponce De León (2012) Genetic and morphological characterization of Southwellina hispida Van Cleave 1925 (Acanthocephala:Polymorphidae) a parasite of fish-eating birds. Comparative Parasitology 79: 192-201.
  • Aznar, F.J.; Hernández-Orts, J.S.; Suarez, A.A.; Garcia-Varela, M.; Raga, J.A.; Cappozzo, H.L. (2012). Assessing host-parasite specificity through coprological analysis: a case study with species of Corynosoma (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from marine mammals. Journal of Helminthology, 86: 156-164.
  • Born-Torrijos, A.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A. (2012). Molecular and morphological identification of larval opecoelids (Digenea: Opecoelidae) parasitising prosobranch snails in a Western Mediterranean lagoon. Parasitology International, 61: 450-460.
  • Gregori, M., F.J. Aznar, E. Abollo, A. Roura, A.F. González, S. Pascual.  (2012) Nyctiphanes couchii as intermediate host for the acanthocephalan Bolbosoma balaenae in temperate waters of the NE Atlantic. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 99: 37-47
  • Carreras-Aubets, M., Montero, F. E., Kostadinova, A., Carrassón, M. (2012). Parasite communities in the red mullet, Mullus barbatus L., respond to small-scale variation in the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Western Mediterranean. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64(9): 1853-1860
  • Míguez-Lozano R.; Pardo-Carranza T.V.; Blasco-Costa I.; Balbuena J.A. (2012) Spatial structure of helminth communities of the golden grey mullet, Liza aurata (Actinopterygii: Mugilidae), in the western Mediterranean. Journal of Parasitology 98: 904 – 912
  • Leonardi, M.S.; Crespo, E.A.; Vales, D.G.; Feijoo, M.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2012). Life begins when the sea lion is ashore: microhabitat use by a louse living on a diving mammal host. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 102: 444-452.
  • Marzoug D.; Boutiba Z.; Kostadinova A.; Pérez-del-Olmo A. (2012). Effects of fishing on parasitism in a sparid fish: Contrasts between two areas of the Western Mediterranean. Parasitology International 61: 414–420.
  • Hernández-Orts, J.S; Alama-Bermejo, G.; Crespo, E.A.; García, N.A.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2012) Breizacanthus aznari n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from the banded cusk-eel Raneya brasiliensis (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) from the Patagonian coast in Argentina. Folia Parasitologica, 59: 264–271.
  • Hernández-Orts, J.S.; Alama-Bermejo,  G.; Carrillo, J.M.; García, N.A.; Crespo, E.A.; Raga, J.A.; Montero, F.E. (2012). Aporocotyle mariachristinae n. sp., and A. ymakara Villalba & Fernández, 1986 (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) of the pink cusk-eel, Genypterus blacodes (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) from Patagonia, Argentina. Parasite, 19: 319-330.
  • Hernandez-Orts, J.S.; Timi, J.T.; Raga, J.A.; García-Varela, M.; Crespo, E.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2012). Patterns of trunk spine growth in two congeneric Acanthocephalan species: investment on attachment may differ between sexes and species. Parasitology, 139: 945-955.
  • Santoro, M., S. Mattiucci, J. Kinsella, F.J. Aznar, D.Giordano, F. Castagna, F. Pellegrino, G. Nascetti (2011) Helminth community structure of the Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) in southern Italy. Journal of Parasitology, 97: 364‐366.
  • Constenla M.; Carrassón M.; Moyà C.M.; Fernàndez-Chacón A.; Padrós F.; Repullés-Albelda, A.; Montero F.E. (2011) Parasitation by Bathycreadium elongatum (Digenea, Opecoelidae) in the pyloric caeca of Trachyrincus scabrus (Teleostei, Macrouridae). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 96(3): 239-247.
  • Hodneland; K.; García; R.; Balbuena, J.A.; Zarza, C.; Fouz, B. (2011). Real-time RT-PCR detection of betanodavirus in naturally and experimentally infected fish from Spain. Journal of Fish Diseases, 34:189 – 202
  • Alama-Bermejo, G.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2011). Host-parasite relationship of Ceratomyxa puntazzi n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) and sharpsnout seabream Diplodus puntazzo (Walbaum, 1792) from the Mediterranean with first data on ceratomyxid host specificity in sparids. Veterinary Parasitology, 182: 181-192.
  • Pérez-del-Olmo A.; Morand S.; Raga J.A.; Kostadinova A. (2011). Abundance-variance and abundance-occupancy relationships in a marine host-parasite system: the importance of taxonomy and ecology of transmission. International Journal for Parasitology 41: 1361–1370.
  • Repullés-Albelda, A.; Raga J. A.; Montero, F.E. (2011) Post-larval development of the microcotylid monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Van Beneden and Hesse, 1863): comparison with species of Microcotylidae and Heteraxinidae. Parasitology International, 60(4): 512-520.
  • Sánchez-García, N.; Padrós, F.; Raga, J. A.; Montero, F. E. (2011) Comparative study of three attachment mechanisms of three Diplectanid Monogeneans. Aquaculture, 318(3-4): 290-299.
  • Montero, F.E.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A (2009) Development and habitat selection of a new sanguinicolid disease agent of cultured greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, in the Mediterranean. Aquaculture, 288(1-2): 132-139.
  • Pérez-del-Olmo A.; Fernández M.; Raga J.A.; Kostadinova A.; Morand S. (2009). Not everything is everywhere: the distance-decay of similarity in a marine host-parasite system. Journal of Biogeography 36: 200–209.
  • Perdiguero-Alonso, D.; Montero, F.E.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A.; Barrett, J. (2008) Random Forests, a novel approach for discrimination of fish populations using parasites as biological tags. International Journal for Parasitology, 38(12): 1425-1434.
  • Holzer, A.S.; Montero, F.E.; Repullés, A.; Nolan, M.J.; Sitja-Bobadilla, A.; Alvarez-Pellitero, P.; Zarza, C.; Raga, J.A. Cardicola aurata sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Mediterranean Sparus aurata L. (Teleostei: Sparidae) and its unexpected phylogenetic relationship with Paradeontacylix McIntosh, 1934. Parasitology International, 57(4): 472-482
  • Pérez-del-Olmo A.; Fernández M.; Raga J.A.; Kostadinova A. & Poulin R. (2008). Halfway up the trophic chain: development of parasite communities in the sparid fish Boops boops. Parasitology, 135: 257–268.
  • Montero, F.E.; Crespo, S., Padrós, F.; De la Gándara, F.; García, A.; Raga, J.A. (2004) Effects of the gill parasite Zeuxapta seriolae (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) on the amberjack Seriola dumerili Risso (Teleostei: Carangidae). Aquaculture, 232: 153-163.
  • Mateu, P.; Raga, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2011). Host specificity of Oschmarinella rochebruni and Brachycladium atlanticum (Digenea: Brachycladiidae) in five cetacean species from western Mediterranean waters. Journal of Helminthology, 85: 12–19.
  • Alama-Bermejo, G.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2011). Skoulekia meningialis n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912) a parasite surrounding the brain of the Mediterranean common two-banded seabream Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) (Teleostei: Sparidae): Description, molecular phylogeny, habitat and pathology. Parasitology International, 60:  34–44.
  • Blasco-Costa, I.; Balbuena, J.A.; Raga, J.A.; Kostadinova, A.; Olson, P.D. (2010).  Molecules and morphology reveal cryptic variation among digeneans infecting sympatric mullets in the Mediterranean. Parasitology 137, 287-302.
  • Balbuena, J.A.; Raga, J.A. (2009). Parasites. En: L. Nollet & F. Toldra  (Eds.). Handbook of Seafood and Seafood Products Analysis, Chapter 31, 579-602, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton.
  • Montero, F.E.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A. (2009). Development and habitat selection of a new sanguinicolid parasite of cultured greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, in the Mediterranean. Aquaculture, 288: 132-139.
  • Alama-Bermejo, G.; Raga, J.A.; Holzer, A.S. (2009). Morphological and molecular comparison and redescription of the myxozoan parasite Unicapsula pflugfelderi Schubert et al., 1975 from two teleost hosts in the Mediterranean and a review of the genus Unicapsula spp. Journal of Fish Diseases, 32(4): 335-350.
  • Pérez-Del-Olmo, A.; Montero, F.E.; Raga, J.A.; Fernández, M.; Kostadinova, A. (2009). Follow-up trends of parasite community alteration in a marine model fish after the Prestige oil-spill: Shifting baselines? Environmental Pollution, 157: 221-228.
  • Holzer, A.S.; Montero, F.E.; Repullés-Albelda, A.; Nolan, M.; Sitja-Bobadilla, A.; Alvarez-Pellitero, P.; Zarza, C.; Raga J.A. (2008). Cardicola aurata sp. n. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) from Mediterranean Sparus aurata L. (Teleostei: Sparidae) and its unexpected phylogenetic relationship with Paradeontacylix McIntosh, 1934. Parasitology International, 57 (4), 472-482.
  • Perdiguero-Alonso, D.; Montero, F.E.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A.; Barrett, J. (2008). Random Forests, a novel approach for discrimination of fish populations using parasites as biological tags. International Journal for Parasitology, 38: 1425-1434.
  • Raga, J.A.; Fernandez, M..; Balbuena, J.A.; Aznar, F.J. (2008). Parasites. En: W.F. Perrin, H.G.M. Thewissen & B. Würsing (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Second Edition, Academic Press/ Elsevier Inc., San Diego, 821-830.
  • Repullés-Albelda, A.; Montero, F.E.; Holzer, A.S; Ogawa, K.; Hutson, K.S.; Raga, J.A. (2008). Speciation of Paradeontacylix spp. (Sanguinicolidae) in Seriola dumerili with descriptions of two new species from the Mediterranean. Parasitology International, 57 (3): 405-414.
  • Herreras, M.V.; Montero, F.E.; Marcogliese, D.J.; Raga, J. A.; Balbuena, J. A. (2007). Phenotypic trade-offs between egg number and egg size in three populations of marine Anisakid nematodes. Oikos, 116: 1737-1747.
  • Pérez-Del Olmo, A..; Raga, J.A.;  Kostadinova, A.; Fernández, M.  (2007). Parasite communities in Boops boops (L.) (Sparidae) after the
    Prestige oil-spill: detectable alterations. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 54: 266-276.
  • Aznar, F.J.; Fognani, P.; Balbuena, J.A.; Pietrobelli, M.; Raga, J.A. (2006). Distribution patterns of Pholeter gastrophilus (Digenea) in the stomach of four odontocete species: the role of the host digestive physiology. Parasitology, 133: 369-380.
  • Aznar, F.J.; Perdiguero, D.; Pérez Del Olmo, A.; Repullés, A.; Agustí, C.; Raga, J.A. (2005). Changes in epizoite infections during cetacean die-offs: the mass mortality of Mediterranean striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, revisited. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 67: 239-247.
  • Fernández, M.; Aznar, F.J.; Montero, F.E.; Raga, J.A. (2005). Endoparasites of the blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou Risso, 1826, from North West Spain. Journal of Helminthology, 79: 15-21.
  • Agustí, C.; Aznar, F.J.; Raga, J.A. (2005). Tetraphyllidean plerocercoids from Western Mediterranean cetaceans and other marine mammals around the world: a comprehensive morphological analysis. Journal of Parasitology, 91: 83-92.
  • Agustí, C.; Aznar, F.J.; Olson, P.D.; Littlewood, D.T.J.; Kostadinova, A.; Raga, J.A. (2005). Morphological and molecular characterization of tetraphyllidean merocercoids (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Western Mediterranean. Parasitology, 130: 461–474.
  • Agustí, C.; Aznar, F.J.; Raga, J.A. (2005). Microtriches of tetraphyllidean metacestodes from Western Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Journal of Morphology, 265: 176-189.
  • Montero FE, Crespo S, Padrós F, De La Gándara F, García A, Raga JA (2004). Effects of the gill parasite Zeuxapta seriolae (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) on the amberjack Seriola dumerili Risso (Teleostei: Carangidae). Aquaculture, 232: 153-163.
  • Raga JA, Aznar FJ, Balbuena JA, Fernández M (2002). Parasites. In: W.F. Perrin, B. Würsing & H.G.M. Thewissen (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Academic Press, San Diego, 867-876.
  • Aznar FJ, Bush AO, Raga JA (2002). Variability of trunk spines in the Acanthocephalan Corynosoma cetaceum: the role of physical constraints. Invertebrate Biology, 121: 104-114.
  • Herreras MV, Aznar FJ, Balbuena JA,  Raga JA (2000). Anisakid larvae in the musculature of the Argentinean Hake, Merluccius hubbsi. Journal of Food Protection, 63: 1141-1143.
  • Aznar FJ, Bush AO, Fernández M, Raga JA (1999). Constructional morphology and mode of attachment of the trunk of Corynosoma cetaceum (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae). Journal of Morphology, 241 (3): 237-249.
  • Fernández M, Aznar FJ, Latorre A, Raga, JA (1998). Molecular phylogeny of the families Campulidae and Nasitrematidae (Trematoda). International Journal for Parasitology, 28: 767-775.
  • Balbuena JA, Aznar FJ, Fernández M, Raga, JA (1995). The use of parasites as indicators of social structure and stock identity of marine mammals. In:AS Blix, L Walløe, Ø Ulltang (eds.), Whales, seals, fish and man. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp. 133-139.
  • Raga JA (1994). Parasitismus bei Cetacea. In: D Robineau, R Duguy, M Klima (eds.), Handbuch  der  Säugetiere Europas. Bd. 6/1. Aula‑Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp. 132-179.
  • Balbuena JA, Raga JA (1994). Intestinal helminths as indicators of segregation and social structure of pods of pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands. Canadian Journal of  Zoology, 72: 443-448.
  • Balbuena JA, Raga JA (1993). Intestinal helminth communities of the long‑finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands. Parasitology, 106: 327‑333.