Ectoparasites of the blackspot seabreamPagellus bogaraveo(Teleostei: Sparidae) from Portuguese waters of the north-east Atlantic

Abstract

The ectoparasite community of the blackspot seabream,Pagellus bogaraveo, was studied in different locations in Portuguese waters of the north-east Atlantic Ocean. This is the first study to focus on the ectoparasites of this commercially important sparid fish. Nine ectoparasite species were detected.Gnathiasp.,Aega deshaysiana, A. antillensis, Rocinela danmoniensisandArgulussp. are reported for the first time on this host. Significant differences were detected among the sampling locations, with monogeneans being more prevalent in mainland waters, and crustaceans being more prevalent in the Atlantic islands of Madeira and Azores. Fish from Madeira showed significantly higher infection levels of all ectoparasites, especially crustaceans, and particularly high prevalence ofHatschekia pagellibogneravei. The potential impact of the species detected on captive fish is also discussed, since the blackspot seabream is a promising new species for marine aquaculture.