Pathogenicity of lernaeocera-lusci and l-branchialis in bib and whiting in the north-sea

• Main Authors: Vandamme, Pa, Ollevier, Frans, Hamerlynck, O
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Inter-research 1994
• Subjects: lernaeocera; pathogenicity; merlangius; trisopterus; north sea; parasite population interactions; atlantic cod; gadus-morhua; infection; copepoda; stability; crustacea; fishes; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: https://lirias.kuleuven.be/handle/123456789/59561

The pathogenicity of the crustacean parasites Lernaeocera lusci and L. branchialis towards their definitive host species (bib and whiting, respectively) was studied in the Dutch and Belgian coastal area. Negative correlations between parasite intensity and haematocrit value were found for both parasite species. L. branchialis was the more pathogenic species: the parasite-induced reductions in haematocrit value were most significant for this species. It is assumed that parasite-induced host mortality can act as a regulatory force at high parasite densities in natural populations. status: published