The role of the rock cod Notothenia coriiceps Richardson, 1844 in the life-cycle of Antarctic parasites |
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Authors: | H W Palm N Reimann M Spindler J Plötz |
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Institution: | Marine Pathology Group, Department of Fisheries Biology, Institut für Meereskunde an der Universit?t Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany e-mail: hpalm@ifm.uni-kiel.de; fax: (49) 431-5973994, DE Institute for Polar Ecology, University Kiel, Wischofstrasse 1-3, D-24148 Kiel, Germany, DE Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Columbusstrasse, D-27568 Bremerhaven, Germany, DE
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Abstract: | Fifty specimens of Notothenia coriiceps caught in Potter Cove, King George Island, were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Of the 22 parasite species found, 18
were helminths, 2 were hirudineans and 2 were crustaceans. The isopod Aega antarctica and an unidentified hirudinean are reported for the first time from this fish host. Dominant parasites were the adults of
Aspersentis megarhynchus, the invasive stage of Corynosoma spp. (cystacanth) and the adults of Macvicaria pennelli, with respective prevalences of infestation of 94, 76 and 74%. The preferred sites of infestation were the pylorus and intestine,
where five different larval (nematodes and cestodes) and eight adult (digeneans and acanthocephalans) parasite species were
found. No adult nematodes and cestodes were found and no parasites could be isolated from the musculature. The results of
the present study are related to previous findings on the parasite fauna of N. coriiceps. The comparison implies a high parasite diversity in this benthic Antarctic fish species. Most parasites found appear to
have a wide range of distribution within Antarctic waters together with a low host specificity. Besides its role as final
host for several species of trematodes and acanthocephalans, N. coriiceps serves as transmitter of parasite larvae to piscivorous birds and seals. It is concluded that the parasite fauna in Antarctic
fish species provides important insights into the different habitat use and trophic relationship of their fish hosts.
Received: 11 September 1997 / Accepted: 12 January 1998 |
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