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Article
Parasites of the Deep-Sea Smelt Bathylagus euryops (Argentiniformes: Microstomatidae) from the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ)
Marine Biology Research
  • Markus W. Busch, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf - Germany
  • Sven Klimpel, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf - Germany
  • Tracey Sutton, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
  • Uwe Piatkowski, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences - Kiel, Germany
ORCID
0000-0002-5280-7071
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2008
Keywords
  • Bathylagus euryops,
  • Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone,
  • Deep-sea fish,
  • Metazoan parasites
Abstract

The deep-sea smelt Bathylagus euryops, caught in July 2004 at the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (North Atlantic), was studied for metazoan parasites and diet composition. A total of 86 specimens with standard lengths between 6.4 and 22.1 cm (mean 13.6 cm) were examined. The parasite fauna consisted of five species: three Digenea, one Cestoda and one Nematoda. The predominant parasites were Lecithaster sp. (Digenea) and an unidentified bothriocephalidean cestode. The only nematode, Anisakis sp., occurred with a low prevalence. Bathylagus euryops at CGFZ serves as final host for the three digeneans, and as intermediate host for the cestodes and Anisakis sp. Stomach content analysis revealed a mesozooplankton crustacean diet, while 95.3% of the stomachs contained unidentified tissue.

DOI
10.1080/17451000801907963
Comments

©2008 Taylor & Francis

Additional Comments
German Research Council grant #: DFG KL 2087/1-1
Citation Information
Markus W. Busch, Sven Klimpel, Tracey Sutton and Uwe Piatkowski. "Parasites of the Deep-Sea Smelt Bathylagus euryops (Argentiniformes: Microstomatidae) from the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ)" Marine Biology Research Vol. 4 Iss. 4 (2008) p. 313 - 317 ISSN: 1745-1000
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/tracey-sutton/63/