Boreogadus saida (Lepechin) (Gadidae): a review of its metazoan parasite fauna from Greenland, eastern Canada, Alaska and the Russian Arctic

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  • Marianne Køie
The metazoan parasite fauna of 50 specimens of Boreogadus saida (Lepechin) (Gadidae) from eastern Greenland is very similar to those of previous studies of the parasite fauna of B. saida from Greenland, eastern Canada, Alaska and the Russian Arctic. The digeneans Hemiurus levinseni, Derogenes varicus and Lecithaster gibbosus and cestode larvae were found at most stations. Single specimens of the nematode larvae Anisakis simplex were found at four stations. A comparison of the distribution of the larvae of Contracaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. is difficult due to a possible confusion of the two genera. Most of the metazoan parasites of B. saida are generalist species found in several fish families. Boreogadus saida acquires most of its endoparasites by eating pelagic crustaceans, mainly copepods and amphipods. It plays an important role in the arctic ecosystem and its parasites are transferred to predatory fish, birds and mammals through the food web.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPolar Biology
Volume32
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1399-1406
Number of pages7
ISSN0722-4060
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

The metazoan parasite fauna of 50 specimens of Boreogadus saida (Lepechin) (Gadidae) from eastern Greenland is very similar to those of previous studies of the parasite fauna of B. saida from Greenland, eastern Canada, Alaska and the Russian Arctic. The digeneans Hemiurus levinseni, Derogenes varicus and Lecithaster gibbosus and cestode larvae were found at most stations. Single specimens of the nematode larvae Anisakis simplex were found at four stations. A comparison of the distribution of the larvae of Contracaecum sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. is difficult due to a possible confusion of the two genera. Most of the metazoan parasites of B. saida are generalist species found in several fish families. Boreogadus saida acquires most of its endoparasites by eating pelagic crustaceans, mainly copepods and amphipods. It plays an important role in the arctic ecosystem and its parasites are transferred to predatory fish, birds and mammals through the food web.

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