Population dynamics of Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea: Copepoda) on four cyprinid species

A total of 217 Barbus graellsii, 54 Barbus haasi, 417 Cyprinus carpio and 85 Leuciscus cephalus captured at 9 sampling stations in the central basin of the Llobregat River (NE Spain) were studied for Lernaea cyprinacea parasitism. Prevalence (B. graellsii 39.2, B. haasi 31.5, C. carpio 8.4, L. cephalus 48.2), intensity of infection (B. graellsii range 1 to 39, mean 4.6; B. haasi range 1 to 7, mean 2.6; C. carpio range 1 to 16, mean 3.1; L. cephalus range 1 to 8, mean 2.4), and abundance (B. graellsii 1.80; B. haasi 0.83; C. carpio 0.26; L. cephalus 1.15) varied with the fish species studied. Correlations between abundance and host size were positive and significant for B. graellsii and L. cephalus. Correlation was positive but non-significant for B. haasi. Correlation between intensity and fish size was positive but not significant for B. graellsii, C. carpio, and L. cephalus. This is the first record of L. cyprinacea infecting B. graellsii and B. haasi.