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Longevity of Bolbophorus damnificus Infections in Channel Catfish
Author(s) -
Mitchell Andrew,
Yost Marlena,
Pote Linda,
Farmer Bradley,
Panuska Carla
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of aquatic animal health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1548-8667
pISSN - 0899-7659
DOI - 10.1080/08997659.2011.587746
Subject(s) - catfish , ictalurus , biology , trematoda , ictaluridae , parasite hosting , fish <actinopterygii> , juvenile , aquatic animal , zoology , anatomy , fishery , helminths , ecology , world wide web , computer science
The digenean Bolbophorus damnificus infects commercial channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus , causing mortality, lower feed consumption, and reduced growth in surviving fish. The purpose of this study was to determine the length of time for which B. damnificus prodiplostomulum metacercariae (juvenile trematode stage that infects fish) would remain viable (parasite appearing to be intact or exhibiting movement) in channel catfish. Fish ( n = 210) were infected with molecularly confirmed B. damnificus cercariae harvested from naturally infected marsh rams‐horn snails Planorbella trivolvis . During the first sampling (at 20 d postinfection), 8.3 ± 3.6 metacercariae/fish (mean ± SD) were found in the host muscle and visceral organs. The channel catfish were then acclimated to a water temperature of either 18°C or 28°C. After 11 months, 6.8 ± 3.5 and 5.9 ± 3.0 metacercariae/fish were found in groups held at 18°C and 28°C, respectively. The mean number of parasites per fish did not significantly differ between fish held at the two temperatures and did not significantly decline over time at either temperature. Fish examined from 13 to 30 months postinfection all contained viable metacercariae that were morphologically and molecularly identified as B. damnificus . At 18 months, 12 metacercariae (of which 11 were intact and 10 displayed movement) were found in the one fish sampled; at 30 months, the last fish sampled contained three intact metacercariae (one displayed slight movement). Our results indicate that B. damnificus metacercariae can remain viable in channel catfish for at least an 18–30‐month production cycle during which they have the potential to affect fish growth; in addition, infected fish may serve as intermediate hosts for these metacercariae for at least 2.5 years postinfection. Received July 14, 2010; accepted March 6, 2011