Abstract
Eleginops maclovinus has been an important fishery resource in Chile since 1957. Caligus rogercresseyi is one of the most prevalent ectoparasite species found on E. maclovinus. Hematocrit, hemoglobin level, red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and differential white blood cell count were determined before and after an experimental infestation with C. rogercresseyi. We found significant differences in the hemoglobin level, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, hematocrit level and RBC between infested and uninfested fish. Furthermore correlations between number of C. rogercresseyi with hematocrit, MCHC, neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were found. Hematological reference ranges of E. maclovinus in captivity conditions were also established.
Highlights
The Chilean rock cod, known as robalo (Eleginops maclovinus), is a common fish in littoral zones, estuaries and rivers of southern South America, including the Falkland islands (PEQUEÑO et al, 2010)
Our results showed significant differences between infested and uninfested fish in hemoglobin levels (p=0.0104; df=154; F=3.883), white blood cell count (WBC) counts (p=
Our results demonstrate that the number of C. rogercresseyi in the body was correlated with the neutrophil counts (r=0.4612; p=0.0007), eosinophil counts (r=0.3628; p=0.0082), hematocrit levels (r=0.2333; p=0.0195), MCHC (r=–0.2866; p=0.053) and lymphocyte counts (r=–0.3043; p=0.0226)
Summary
The Chilean rock cod, known as robalo (Eleginops maclovinus), is a common fish in littoral zones, estuaries and rivers (under tidal effects) of southern South America, including the Falkland islands (PEQUEÑO et al, 2010). This species is traditionally considered an opportunistic benthic omnivore, recent research indicates that juveniles and adults are opportunistic carnivores capable of feeding in both marine and freshwater environments (EASTMAN; LANNOO, 2008). Parasites negatively influence host fitness, and in response, hosts develop anti-parasitic defenses, for example, a functional immune system, to reduce the fitness cost induced by parasitism (SHELDON; VERHULST, 1996). Sea louse cause a local inflammatory response and blood loss at the site of attachment but do not appear to suppress host defense mechanisms during the early stages of infestation
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