Parasite fauna of European Bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) under different natural conditions
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2003 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Sixth International Symposium on Fish Parasites |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | parasite fauna of bitterling |
| Description | European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus, Palas), is a common fish species inhabiting lentic and riverine waters with presence of molluscs (Bivalvia). Parasite fauna of juvenile and adult bitterling was studied in several ponds and two lowland rivers of South East Moravia, Czech Republic. A total of 28 parasite species were identified in both juvenile and adult fish (8 monogeneans, 11 digeneans, 3 nematodes, 2 genera of bivalve, 3 crustaceans, and 1 hirudinean). Prevalence of parasite infection fluctuated about 60-70 % in all samples. The intensity of infection and species richness of metazoan parasites in juvenile bitterlings were higher than in adults. Both adult and juvenile fish collected from ponds hosted more parasite species and also parasite specimens than fish from rivers. In riverine waters, the parasites with direct life cycle were the most abundant (Gyrodactylus rhodei, Monogenea), whereas in lentic waters, parasites with indirect life cycle (Rhipidocotyle illense, Diplostomum cf. spathaceum; Digenea) formed over 80% of bitterlings parasite fauna. The equitability of bitterling parasite communities was lower in riverine habitat due to one or two dominant species (G. rhodei, Lernaea cyprinacea) in the community. |
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