Consistent Negative Correlations between Parasite Infection and Host Body Condition Across Seasons Suggest Potential Harmful Impacts of < em > Salmincola markewitschi < /em > on Wild White-Spotted Charr, < em > Salvelinus leucomaenis < /em >

In this study, we investigated the potential impacts of mouth-attaching Salmincola markewitschi on white-spotted charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) through intensive field surveys across four seasons using host body condition as an indicator of harmful effects. The prevalence and parasite abundance were highest in winter and gradually decreased in summer and autumn, which might be due to host breeding and/or wintering aggregations that help parasite transmissions. Despite seasonal differences in prevalence and parasite abundance, consistent negative correlations between parasite abundance and host body condition were observed across all seasons, indicating that the mouth-attaching copepods could reduce the body condition of the host fish. This provides field evidence suggesting that S. markewitschi has a potential negative impact on wild white-spotted charr.PMID:38587914 | DOI:10.2108/zs230028
Source: Zoological Science - Category: Zoology Authors: Source Type: research