Seasonal occurrence of Gyrodactylus species (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) on the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) in the Haná River, Czech Republic.
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | 5th International Symposium on Monogenea |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Monogenea; seasonal occurrence; Gyrodactylus |
| Description | The seasonal occurrence of Gyrodactylus species parasitising the stone loach, Barbatula barbatula, has been studied in the Haná River, Czech Republic, from January 2001 to December 2002. A total of 10,484 Gyrodactylus specimens were collected from 300 specimens of the stone loach. Eight species, such as G. barbatuli, G. jiroveci, G. menschikowi, G. nemachili, G. papernai, G. pavlovskyi, G. pseudonemachili and G. sedelnikowi, were identified from the fins, skin and gills of the host fish. Gyrodactylus abundance was generally low during summer and peaked in spring and late autumn periods. In both years, the lowest number of parasites were observed in July and August and Gyrodactylus was absent on stone loach in May and June 2002. Maximum prevalence was recorded throughout the study period, except for the months of Gyrodactylus absence on stone loach. The parasite infracommunity and the structure of the component community were also analysed. Four Gyrodactylus infracommunity species, G. jiroveci, G. papernai, G. pseudonemachili and G. sedelnikowi, were most frequent, recorded from 32% of stone loach. The spatial distribution of Gyrodactylus species was also analysed. About 98% of specimens infected stone loach skin and fins, whereas 2% infected the gill apparatus. The pectoral and ventral fins were found to be the most preferred niche. Microhabitat specificity of particular parasite species was also analysed in relation to the size and shape of the opisthaptoral hard parts. |
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