Sealworm ( Pseudoterranova decipiens ) infection in the benthic cottid ( Taurulus bubalis ) in relation to population increase of harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) in Skagerrak, Sweden

In Koster archipelago (northern Skagerrak, Sweden) the harbour seal population increased from approximately 350 to more than 1000 individuals between 1988 and 1998. During the same period, sealworm (Pseudoterranova decipiens) abundance in the most heavily infected fish species, bullrout (Myoxocepahu...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:NAMMCO Scientific Publications
Main Authors: Sven-Gunnar Lunneryd, Karl Inne Ugland, Paul Eric Aspholm
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 2001
Subjects:
Sealworms
Pseudoterranova decipiens
hosts
harbour seal
Sweden
Ecology
QH540-549.5
Gadus morhua
Phoca vitulina
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2958
https://doaj.org/article/b8847858d1304c80b470f4575498bb69
Description
Summary:In Koster archipelago (northern Skagerrak, Sweden) the harbour seal population increased from approximately 350 to more than 1000 individuals between 1988 and 1998. During the same period, sealworm (Pseudoterranova decipiens) abundance in the most heavily infected fish species, bullrout (Myoxocepahulus scorpius) and sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis), did not increase. Since harbour seals do not normally feed on those cottids an infection route via cod (Gadus morhua), which consume cottids, is proposed. The abundance of sealworm in the final host is therefore related to the probability of cod preying on infected cottids prior to being preyed upon by seals. Our model predicts that the abundance of larval sealworm in benthic fishes is not related to the number of seals when the colony is over a specific threshold size.

Similar Items