Some differences in the parasitic fauna of three samples of plaice (Pleuronectesplatessa L.) from the southern North Sea

Plaice ( Pleuronectesplatessa L.) from three spawning areas in the southern North Sea were examined for six species of metazoan parasite. Differences of both incidence and level of infestation with particular parasite species were found in fish from the three areas. Neither the incidence nor the level of infestation was associated with the length of fish in the samples except in the case of the larger male fish from Flamborough, which tended to contain more larval nematodes (Anisakidae). All fish contained the intestinal nematode Cucullanus heterochrous , although fewer were found in fish from Flamborough. Southern Bight fish were more likely to contain Capillaria wickinsi than were fish from Flamborough or the German Bight. Flamborough fish were more likely to contain Anisakidae larvae than were fish from the other two areas. Fish from the three areas were similarly infested with Zoogonoides viviparus. Male fish from Flamborough were less likely to be infested with Lepeophtheirus pectoralis than male fish from the German Bight.