Metazoan parasites of Northwest Atlantic redfishes ( Sebastes spp.)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Bourgeois, C. E., Ni, I.-H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1984
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Newfoundland; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-274; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-274

A total of 443 specimens of three redfish species (209 Sebastes fasciatus, 123 S. marinus, and 111 S. mentella), obtained from Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 2H, 2J (Labrador area), 3K (Northeastern Newfoundland), 3L, 3O (Grand Banks) 3M (Flemish Cap), and 3Ps (St. Pierre Bank) during 1980–1982, was examined for metazoan parasites; 182 (87.1%) S. fasciatus, 120 (97.6%) S. marinus, and 103 (92.8%) S. mentella were infected. Seventeen species of parasites were recovered (12 from S. fasciatus, 16 from S. marinus, and 11 from S. mentella). 22 of which were new host records. Quantitative data, including prevalence and intensity of infection, are given for each parasite by host species and NAFO division. The zeogeography and host specificity of the parasites encountered in this study are discussed in relation to redfish and hypothetical stocks of Sebastes spp. are proposed based on the parasite data collected.