Site selection of Acanthochondria cornuta (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) in Platichthys flesus (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Cavaleiro, FI (Author) Other; Santos, MJ (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Parasitology

Vol. 138 No. 6

Pages: 1061-1067

ISSN: 0031-1820

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-Q2E

DOI: 10.1017/s0031182011000606

Abstract (EN): Acanthochondria cornuta (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) (N=4841; prevalence: 80.0%; mean +/- S.D. [range] intensity: 28.8 +/- 24.0 [1-110] parasites) infected the branchial chambers of the European flounder, Platichthys flesus (L.), (N=210) according to an established spatial pattern. This was independent of host size. Higher intensities resulted, most frequently, in higher numbers of infection sites, probably due to increased intraspecific competition. Preferential infection of the ocular side was supported by the recorded abundance data and reflected, probably, the fish's bottom-dwelling behaviour. As the parasite develops from one stage into another, it seems to migrate towards different sites: the copepodites and pre-adult females occurred, mainly, in the holobranchs; the adults preferred the internal wall (non-gravid/post-gravid females; adult males) or the pseudobranchs (gravid females). The ventilating water current along with the blood supply are suggested as 2 major factors in determining parasite spatial distribution within the chamber. Parasite crowding in a restricted and narrow space of the posterior region of the internal wall was recorded frequently and resembled that previously reported for the plaice. Differences to other host-parasite systems previously studied should relate with the anatomy of the respiratory apparatus. Bigamous females are reported for the first time.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7