Seasonal dynamics of Posthodiplostomum cuticola (Digenea, Diplostomatidae) metacercariae and parasite-enhanced growth of juvenile host fish

Abstract

The seasonal dynamics of Posthodiplostomum cuticola metacercariae in 0+ juvenile fish, Rutilus rutilus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus and Abramis bjoerkna, was studied on the floodplain of the Dyje River, Czech Republic. Prevalence and mean abundance of P. cuticola were significantly higher in R. rutilus than in S. erythrophthalmus or A. bjoerkna. A seasonal pattern of parasite infection with maximum values in autumn was evident in all three species. No effect of overwintering on the P. cuticola infection was detected. Parasite-induced growth was found for all three fish species investigated; the fish standard length and body weight of parasitized individuals were significantly higher than those of unparasitized fish from July to October. In April, no difference was found. The maximum enhanced growth of parasitized fish was found in months with low zooplankton densities, while the difference was lower when food was abundant.

Infection patterns of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) by two helminth species with contrasting life styles

“…Whereas rainfall may have interrupted Bolbophorus sp. transmission, temperature is an essential cue triggering cercariae emergence from the snails (Lyholt and Buchmann 1996;Ondrackova et al 2004b;Jiménez-García and VidalMartínez 2005;Hudson et al 2006). However, the gradual and narrow variation in temperature within the current study area (Table 1) may have allowed for continuous release and recruitment of cercariae, hence the weak relationship between parasite infection and temperature.…”

“…Although larval stages have a long life in the fish, changes in parasite intensity and prevalence are linked to the seasonal release and hatching of cercariae and coracidia, respectively (Chubb 1979(Chubb , 1980. The cercariae release and recruitment are triggered temperature (Lyholt and Buchmann 1996;Ondrackova et al 2004b;Jiménez-García andVidal-Martínez 2005, Hudson et al 2006). Receding of water systems during dry season results in habitat shrinking, and this may increase the proximity of hosts to cercariae.…”

Some Investigations on Incidence and Infestation Level in Cyprinid Postodiplostomosis

“…These rings with melanin aspect give the name of ink spot disease . This disease is very dangerous for the fish fry in the first months of life (Ondrackova et al, 2004;Zrncic et al, 2009). At this stage, mortality losses may reach 100%.…”

Morphological and molecular characterization of Posthodiplostomum sp. (Digenea: Diplostomidae) metacercaria in the muscles of snakeheads (Channa punctata) from Manipur, India

“…There are about 30 species of Posthodiplostomum reported from bird hosts (Yamaguti, 1971;Sonin, 1986), which utilize a wide range of cypriniform fishes as their second intermediate host; the family Cyprinidae in particular constitutes the largest group of hosts being affected (Lucky, 1970;Chubb, 1977;Jalali, 1998;Rolbiecki, 2004;Ondračková et al, 2004a;Vytautas & Èeslovas, 2009;Karimian et al, 2013). Of these species, the metacercariae of P. cuticola are responsible for causing 'Black spot' disease in the fish host (Dönges, 1964;Schäpperclaus, 1990;Ondračková et al, 2004b;Karimian et al, 2013) and those of P. brevicaudatum encysting in the eye lens cause ocular parasitosis (Dönges, 1969;Stanevičiūtė et al, 1998). However, another species, P. minimum, is responsible for causing 'white grub' in fishes (Colley & Olson, 1963;Lewis & Nickum, 1964;Avault & Smitherman, 1965;Lane & Morris, 2000).…”

“…There is only one report of Posthodiplostomum metacercarial infection occurring in the channid fish (Nguyen et al, 2012). In fish intermediate hosts, the parasite occurs encysted in the skin, fins, cornea and superficial muscles as the etiological agent of blackspot disease (Kurochkin & Biserova, 1996;Shukhgalter & Chukalova, 2002;Ondračková et al, 2002Ondračková et al, , 2004b. Piscivorous birds, mainly herons (Ardeidae), are definitive host for the parasite in Eurasia (Skrjabin, 1964;Yamaguti, 1971).…”