Publication details
The effect of fish dominance status on the relationship between fecundity and virulence of salmon lice
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The relationship between fecundity and virulence was explored using the ectoparasitic crustacean Lepeophtheirus salmonis and host Atlantic salmon during spring 2005. A total of 75 salmon smolts were experimentally infected by L. salmonis and investigated 58 days post infection. A range of host parameters, which were assumed to be associated with parasite virulence and host status were analysed. In the present study, differences in several physiological parameters between dominant and subordinate fish were recorded. Furthermore, the relationship between the virulence predictors and egg strings length was tested. Neither of them was significantly associated with egg string length for all fish together. However, when fish were separated in groups of dominant and subordinate individuals, a summary measure of virulence was positively associated with egg string length within dominant fish, but none of them within subordinate fish. This could indicate that fish status can significantly affect the parameters of virulence. |
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