Lernanthropus kroyeri from Corsica: ecological and morphological study

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2012-05, Vol.110 (5), p.1959
• Main Authors: Antonelli, Laetitia, Quilichini, Yann, Marchand, Bernard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Copepoda; Copepods; European sea bass; Health aspects; Host-parasite relationships; Morphology; Physiological aspects
• ISSN: 0932-0113
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2724-6

Lernanthropus kroyeri (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida: Lernanthropidae) is a gill parasite found on the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. During a survey of sea bass of Corsican fish farms, we studied the biology of this parasite under culture conditions. We first chose to conduct a scanning electron microscopic study to give additional information about the lifestyle of the parasite. Our examinations made it possible to reveal some unreported superficial structures including details not described previously. Specializations associated with the tegument, in particular, sensory structures and anchoring systems were studied to understand the mechanisms of survival and dispersal of the species. Patterns variation of parasites communities was examined by taking into account environmental factors, such as temperature or salinity, and physiological parameters related to host. The relation between parasites and location of fish was also studied to quantify the importance of site influence on parasite communities. Prevalence and abundances of the infections in different culture systems, fish stocks, and sampling seasons are given. L. kroyeri was significantly present during spring and summer, coinciding with a period of increasing temperature. Significant differences were found grouping data by host size, with higher infection levels in the larger-sized fish.