Premium
Cryptocaryon irritans (Ciliophora): primary infection in thick‐lipped mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso)
Author(s) -
MATTHEWS R. A.,
BURGESS P. J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of fish diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-2761
pISSN - 0140-7775
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2761.1995.tb00309.x
Subject(s) - biology , mullet , zoology , anatomy , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
.Cryptocaryon irritans (Ciliophora), isolated from the reef fish, Grammistes sexlineatus Thumberg, was established as primary infections in mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso). Only a small percentage (<22%) of exposed theronts established infection under controlled conditions. This is discussed in relation to the probability of host parasite contact and susceptibility. There was no evidence of density‐dependent or intra‐specific competition in trophont establishment, a strong linear relationship being found between the levels of exposure and infection. Infection intensity was assessed in relation to host survival, indicating a 90% probability of host death following levels of >200 trophonts per gram of host. A close temporal association between host death and trophont exit was found, possibly as a result of epidermal disruption leading to dysfunction of osmoregulatory and respiratory systems.