Myxosporean parasites of marine fish from the continental shelf off Newfoundland and Labrador

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Khan, R. A., Bowering, W. R., Burgeois, C., Lear, H., Pippy, J. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1986
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z86-336; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z86-336

Bile from 2793 marine fish of 28 species from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean was examined for myxosporean parasites. Twenty-two fish species were infected, some with one to three species of the six different genera observed. Six of 7 littoral and all of 16 demersal or benthic species were infected whereas 5 epipelagic or mesopelagic forms were apparently uninfected. Variations in prevalence of some species of parasites in fish hosts originating from different geographical areas of the continental shelf suggests a potential use in separating stocks on the basis of geographical location, parasite identity, and (or) migratory habits.