Metazoan parasites and feeding behaviour of four small-sized fish species from the central North Sea

Autor: Klimpel, S.; Seehagen, A.; Palm, H. W.
In:

Parasitology Research

Bandangabe: 91
ISBN: DOI 10.1007/s00436-003-0957-8
Seite: 290 - 297
Jahr: 2003

Einordung:
Institut: Professur Aquakultur und Sea-Ranching

Abstract:
The metazoan parasites and stomach contents
of the small-sized demersal fishes Agonus cataphractus,
Buglossidium luteum, Callionymus lyra and Rhinonemus
cimbrius were studied and analysed. The fishes were
captured using various sampling gears at 12 stations in
the central North Sea. A total of 16 metazoan parasite
species were isolated: six adult Digenea, three larval and
adult Cestoda, four larval and adult Nematoda and
three larval and adult Crustacea. With nine parasites
species each, A. cataphractus and R. cimbrius harboured
the highest parasite diversity, while B. luteum and C. lyra
hosted only six and five parasite species, respectively.
Eighteen new hosts and four new locality records were
established. No Myxozoa, Monogenea or Acanthocephala
were found. Most of the detected parasites
showed a wide geographical range and a low hostspecificity.
The composition of the parasite fauna differed
between the fish species, in accordance with their
different feeding behaviours. The diet of bentho-pelagic
feeders (A. cataphractus, R. cimbrius) was more diverse
in comparison with the more specialised benthic feeders
(C. lyra, B. luteum). This correlated with the lower
diversity of heteroxenic parasites within both small-sized
benthic fish species.

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