Nematode parasites in teleosts from 0 to 1540 m depth off the faroe islands (The North Atlantic)

Abstract

Abstract In the present study 416 specimens belonging to 43 species of teleost fishes from shallow waters down to a depth of 1540 m off the Faroes were examined for nematode parasites. All in all, about 20 nematode species were found. Most nematodes are new to the area and many represent new host records. Capillaria gracilis was found in gadoids including Molua molua. Third-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex (sensu lato) were found down to a depth of 1540 m. One larva of Anisakis physeteris was found in Epigonus telescopus. Third-stage larvae of Pseudoterranoua decipiens (s.1.) were found in the liver of Lophius piscatoriusand Reinhardtiushippoglossoides, whereas they occurred in the musculature of Myoxocephalus scorpius and Hippoglossoides platessoides and in the musculature and between the caeca of gadoids. Small encapsulated third-stage larvae (1.5-3.5 mm long) of Contracaecum sp. are regarded as avian species, whereas large third-stage larvae (0.5-2.0 em long) on the fish viscera are believed to be C. osculatum (s.1.). Larvae and adults of Hysterothylacium itaduncum (s.1.)were found in most fish species down to a depth of 1030 m. Hysterothylacium rigidum were common in the stomach of L. piscatorius, the previously unknown third-stage larvae were found encapsulated in the intestinal wall of gadoids and pleuronectids. The previously unknown male of Ichthyofilaria bergensis (Wiilker, 1930) n. comb. was found together with females in Molua dipterygia. Spinitectusouiflagellis was found in Molva spp., Sebastes oioiparusand Lepidion eques. Larvae of Spinitectoides berlandi occurred in Trisopterus minutus. Ascarophis morrhuae and A. crassicollis were found in gadoids and an apparently undescribed species of Ascarophisoccurred in Lycodes spp. and lip arid fishes down to a depth of 1540 m. A. Arctica was found in the gadoid Ciliata mustela only.