Fungal infection of Eudiaptomus gracilis (Copepoda, crustacea) in Lake Mondsee

An Aphanomyces sp. (Oomycetes) was found to be an important egg parasite of Eudiaptomus gracilis (Copepoda) in Lake Mondsee (Austria). The infection is evidenced by densely packed infection hyphae, attached with holdfasts and wrapped around the female's abdomen. The infection hyphae give rise to hyphae which penetrate the egg sac, and subsequently kill all eggs. The infection obviously has no pathogenetic effects on the egg-carrying female. Infected females appear during summer and fall, mainly in warm water layers. Infected egg clutches are found at all seasons of the year, indicating considerable birth control of the Eudiaptomus population by parasite infection. It seems possible that the actual Aphanomyces sp. is not the only parasite involved.