Host–parasite relationships between burbot ( Lota lota ) and adult Salmincola lotae (Copepoda)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Lasee, Becky A., Sutherland, Daniel R., Moubry, Maryjo E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1988
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Burbot; Lota lota; Copepods; lota
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z88-364; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z88-364

The pathology elicited by the parasitic copepod Salmincola lotae and its distribution within the oral cavity of the burbot, Lota lota, is described. Of 50 burbot examined from the Apostle Islands region, Lake Superior, near Bayfield, WI, 18 (36%) were infested with S. lotae. A total of 63 copepods were recovered. Burbot were examined from three Lake Michigan collecting sites: 70 from Sturgeon Bay, 9 from Manitowoc, and 60 from Sheboygan were not infested with S. lotae. Salmincola lotae appears to prefer middle regions of the roof of the mouth. Mechanical damage to host tissues resulting from copepod presence included epidermal shredding from parasite feeding and lesions from bulla excavation and implantation. Epidermal encapsulation of the second maxillae of S. lotae was the primary host tissue reaction. Increased dermal vascularization and leucocyte infiltration occurred in regions of parasite attachment. This is the first report of S. lotae from the Nearctic.