Parasites of the Blue Antimora, Antimora rostrata and Slender Codling, Halargyreus johnsonii (Gadiformes: Moridae), in the Northwestern Atlantic.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The blue antimora, Antimora rostrata and slender codling, Halargyreus johnsonii (Gadoformes: Moridae) are common representatives of deep-water marine demersal fish fauna. This paper focuses on infections in blue antimora caught in the northwestern Atlantic region, but also reports observations on the parasites of slender codling obtained from a limited number of specimens from the same location. METHODS: Standard methods of parasitological examination, fixation and staining were used. In addition, a genetic analysis of the found acanthocephalans was performed to clarify their taxonomic affiliation. RESULTS: Blue antimora is mostly infected by juveniles of Anisakis sp. and trematodes Lepidapedon sp. sensu Campbell & Bray, 1993. The trematode Lepidapedon cf. mariannae and nematodes Spinitectus oviflagellis, Fellicola sp., Hysterothylacium gadi gadi, and Capillaria cf. gracilis have been recorded from blue antimora for the first time. The slender codling has been newly recorded as a host of five parasite species: Steringophorus pritchardae; Plerurinae gen. sp.; Lepidapedon cf. mariannae; Ascarophis sp.; Anisakis sp., and Sphyrion lumpi. CONCLUSIONS: Blue antimora and slender codling are recorded as hosts of 14 and 5 parasite taxa, respectively. The parasite fauna of these two species have similar patterns of infection to other bony fish that exist at a similar depth (800-2000) within the studied region.