High Prevalence and Potential Impacts of Caligid Ectoparasites on Larval Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) in the Chesapeake Bay |
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Authors: | Filipe Ribeiro Eric J. Hilton Ryan B. Carnegie |
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Affiliation: | 1.Virginia Institute of Marine Science,College of William & Mary,Gloucester Point,USA;2.MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre,Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa,Lisbon,Portugal |
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Abstract: | Larvae of Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus enter Mid-Atlantic Bight estuaries annually between September and February. A high prevalence of ectoparasitic crustacean infection of ingressing larval M. undulatus was observed in Chesapeake Bay; this ectoparasite was identified as a species of Lepeophtheirus within the copepod family Caligidae from analysis of cytochrome oxidase I sequences and scanning electron microscopy. Between 2007 and 2011, seasonal differences in prevalence were observed, with higher infection rates on fall ingressing larvae (20 % mean monthly infection rate) than in larvae entering the estuary in the winter (monthly infection rate of 6 %); the head region had the highest parasite attachment rate, being observed in 78 % of the infected fish. The potential effects of this ectoparasite on larval M. undulatus could include reductions in feeding (and thus growth) and increased susceptibility to predation. |
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