Publication details
Helminth communities of juvenile bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus Pallas, 1776) in riverine habitat
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2003 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Ninth International Helminthological Symposium |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Ecology |
| Keywords | helminth communities; bitterling; riverine habitat |
| Description | The metazoan parasite fauna of juvenile bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus), was studied in Kyjovka River, Czech Republic. Bitterling fry (N=370) were sampled monthly, in the period from July 2000 to November 2001. A total of 13 parasite species were recorded (5 monogeneans, 4 digeneans, 2 nematodes, 2 crustaceans). Two species, Gyrodactylus rhodei (Monogenea) and Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea) were the most abundant parasites found on the fins and body of fry. A maximum parasite species richness was 4 parasite species per fish specimen, however infracommunity with only one or two parasite species were the most common within bitterling population. Presence and species richness were studied throughout the sampling season and correlated with relative fish age. Monogeneans, especially Gyrodactylus rhodei, parasitised already the early developmental stages of host fish, from 9.5 mm long and persisted throughout the sampling season, as the most common parasite species. On the other hand, endoparasites, especially metacercariae of digeneans in fish tissue (Rhipidocotyle illense), infect older fish over 11 mm of standard length, and the intestine parasites (Philometra abdominalis) occurred in fish over 26 mm of standard length. |
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