Parasitic Fauna of Some Macrouridae in the Northwest Atlantic

• Published in: Journal of Northwest Atlantic fishery science Vol. 2; p. 67
• Main Author: ZUBCHENKO, A V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dartmouth Dartmouth, Canada :Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization,1980 01.01.1981; Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, NAFO
• Subjects: Aquatic crustaceans; Benthos; Fish; Hosts; Infestation; Macrourus berglax; Parasites; Parasitoses; Spores
• ISSN: 0250-6408; 1813-1859

The parasitic funa of three species of grenadier in the Northwest Atlantic revealed 33 species of parasites related to seven taxonomic groups: Myxosporidia, Cestoda, Trematoda, Nematods, Acanthocephala and Crustacea. Roundnose grenadier, Coryphaenoides rupestris Gunnerus, from Davis Strait, Labrador and northern Grand Bank were infested by 14 species of parasites, half of which occurred in all three areas. The greater incidence of infestation by parasites whose intermediate hosts are pelagic animals indicate that the latter form a significant part of the diet. The roughhead grenadier, Macrourus berglax Lecepede, from Flemish Cap and northern Grand Bank were infested by a diverse group of 21 species of parasites, many of which are the intermediate hosts of benthic animals and fish. The common grenadier, Nezumia bairdi Goode and Bean from Flemish Cap and northern Grand Bank were infested by 11 species of parasites whose intermediate hosts are mainly planktonic organisms. Very distinct between-area differences in parasitic infestation of the latter two species of grenadier indicate that the samples were from separate populations. Myxosporidian spores were found in one specimen of Chalimura brevibarbis caught on Flemish Cap.