Modelling regional differences in ‘sealworm’, Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea), infections in some North Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, stocks

The ascaridoid nematode Pseudoterranova decipiens has a complex life‐cycle. Adult worms reproduce in the stomach of grey seals, Halichoerus grypus , and other pinnipeds, and the larvae are found encysted in the musculature of Atlantic cod, a common host. An increase in infection levels in Canadian,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Fish Biology
Main Author: des Clers, S.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1989
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1989.tb03061.x
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8649.1989.tb03061.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1989.tb03061.x
Description
Summary:The ascaridoid nematode Pseudoterranova decipiens has a complex life‐cycle. Adult worms reproduce in the stomach of grey seals, Halichoerus grypus , and other pinnipeds, and the larvae are found encysted in the musculature of Atlantic cod, a common host. An increase in infection levels in Canadian, Icelandic and Norwegian cod stocks over the last decade has been attributed to recent increases in seal population numbers. A simple model is proposed for the accumulation of larval parasites in the fish through its food. The model describes how regional differences in fish growth can also explain some differences in infection levels.