Consistent Negative Correlations between Parasite Infection and Host Body Condition Across Seasons Suggest Potential Harmful Impacts of Salmincola markewitschi on Wild White-Spotted Charr, Salvelinus leucomaenis.
Zoolog Sci
; 41(2): 192-200, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38587914
ABSTRACT
Assessing the impacts of parasites on wild fish populations is a fundamental and challenging aspect of the study of host-parasite relationships. Salmincola, a genus of ectoparasitic copepods, mainly infects salmonid species. This genus, which is notorious in aquaculture, damages host fishes, but its impacts under natural conditions remain largely unknown or are often considered negligible. In this study, we investigated the potential impacts of mouth-attaching Salmincola markewitschi on white-spotted charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) through intensive field surveys across four seasons using host body condition as an indicator of harmful effects. The prevalence and parasite abundance were highest in winter and gradually decreased in summer and autumn, which might be due to host breeding and/or wintering aggregations that help parasite transmissions. Despite seasonal differences in prevalence and parasite abundance, consistent negative correlations between parasite abundance and host body condition were observed across all seasons, indicating that the mouth-attaching copepods could reduce the body condition of the host fish. This provides field evidence suggesting that S. markewitschi has a potential negative impact on wild white-spotted charr.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades Parasitarias
/
Copépodos
/
Enfermedades de los Peces
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Zoolog Sci
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Japón