Metazoan Parasites of Some Fishes from Goose River, North Dakota

Abstract

One hundred-five fishes representing 10 species (Catostomus commersoni, Esox lucius, Eiheostoma nigrum, Perca flavescens, Notropis cornutus, Pimephales promelas, Semotilus atromaculatus, Lepomis macrochirus, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Ictalurus melas) were collected from two sites along the Goose River in eastern North Dakota during the summer and autumn of 1964. Thirty genera or species of parasites were identified, and in no instance was a fish uninfected. Postho diplostomum minimum centrarchi, Neascus pyriformis, Diplostomulum scheuringi, Phyllodistomum staffordi, Microphallus opacus, Allocreadium ictaluri, Alloglossidium corti, Proteocephalus pinguis, Corallobothrium sp., Spinitectus carolini, Camallanus oxycephalus, Neoechinorhynchus saginatus, Octospinifer macilentis, Argulus sp., Ergasilus versicolor and Achtheres ambloplitis are reported from North Dakota fishes for the first time. INTRODUCTION Several studies concerning new species, life-cycles, and pathology of parasites from North Dakota fishes have been reported Hoffman (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958a, 1958b, 1959), Hoffman and Hundley (1957), Ikezaki and Hoffman (1957), Hoffman and Hoyme (1958), Larson (1965), and Mizelle and Kritsky (1967). In addition, Hoffman's (1967) compilation of North American fish parasites lists a number of previously unpublished records for the state. However, only one survey of fish parasites has been reported from North Dakota (Hoffman, 1953). The present study was undertaken in an effort to gain additional information on the parasitic fauna of local fishes. Acknowledgments.-The senior author extends his appreciation to Dr. Larson for guidance in this study, and to fellow graduate students who assisted in the collection of fishes. Thanks are also due Dr. Clarence E. Harms, Department of Biology, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas, for identifying specimens of Neoechinorhynchus saginatus, and to Dr. Glenn L. Hoffman, Eastern Fish Disease Laboratory, Kearneysville, West Virginia, for examining specimens of Corallobothrium. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 16 July through 21 October 1964, collections were made 14 times from either one or both of two sites along the Goose River with a minnow seine. Specimens were transported to' the laboratory in styrofoam coolers and kept alive in a large tank until autopsy. The brain and cranial cavity, eyes, gills, viscera, flesh, fins, and integument were examined in 0.6%o saline with a dissecting microscope. 1 Based on a thesis submitted by David R. Voth in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, University of North Dakota, 1965. 2 Present address: Public Health College, Haile Selassie I University, Gondar, Ethiopia.