Ephelota sp., a Suctorian found on the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica
Examination of specimens of the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica from surface swarms in the Bay of Fundy revealed the presence of a suctorian epibiont, subsequently identified as Ephelota sp. Between 8 and 82% of the euphausiids in samples from surface swarms in the Bay of Fundy and off Cape Bre...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Canadian Science Publishing
1984
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-106 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-106 |
| Summary: | Examination of specimens of the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica from surface swarms in the Bay of Fundy revealed the presence of a suctorian epibiont, subsequently identified as Ephelota sp. Between 8 and 82% of the euphausiids in samples from surface swarms in the Bay of Fundy and off Cape Breton Island were found to be infested by this epibiont. In contrast, in samples taken at depth offshore, less than 2% of the euphausiids were infested. Since the animals constituting the surface swarms were old, mature euphausiids, it is hypothesized that the high level of infestation may be due to either senility or to a delayed ecdysis in reproductive animals. This record is of interest since it is only the fifth type of epibiont reported on euphausiids. |
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