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

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Author: des Clers, S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1989
• Subjects: atlantic cod; Gadus morhua; North Atlantic
• 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

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.