Neobrachiella robusta (Wilson, 1912) (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) as a tag for identification of stocks of its host, Sebastes alutus (Gilbert, 1890) (Pisces: Teleostei)

Abstract

Infection of Sebastes alutus (Pisces: Teleostei) with the gill parasite Neobrachiella robusta (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) was investigated to ascertain whether this parasite is suitable for use as a biological tag to identify stocks of its host. All copepods taken from five presumptive stocks off the coast of British Columbia belonged to N. robusta f. longidigita, but showed differences in the prevalence and intensity of infection, as well as in their population structure, that enabled these characteristics to be used for stock identification. Neobrachiella robusta was less useful as a stock identification character for individual fish when tested with discriminant function analysis. These preliminary findings show that the copepod is potentially valuable as a tool for both long- and short-term needs of fisheries management.