The effect of batch spawning on parasite infection and condition of 0+ European bitterling before and during overwintering
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | We compared a body condition and parasite infection in (1) early hatched (EH; 40.8+-2.2 mm SL) and (2) late hatched fish (LH; 31.2+-1.6 mm SL) from November to March. Before winter, we observed no difference in infection and condition between the fish groups. Total parasite abundance was higher in winter compared to autumn in both fish cohorts because of seasonal increase of monogenean infection. The total parasite abundance was higher in EH fish compared to LH fish during winter. Clear trend of decreasing metacercarial infection during winter was observed only in LH fish, indicating the mortality of heavily parasitized fish. Decrease of condition factor was recorded only in LH fish in January and February. In March, there was no difference in condition between the fish cohorts, indicating a mortality of LH fish with low condition. The results suggest that LH fish probably faced increased energy deficit and mortality supported by parasite infection. EH fish kept energy resources better and were not influenced by infection. |
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