Parasite Fauna of the Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus, Lowe 1834) from the Central Mediterranean Sea.

Giovanni De Benedetto,Gabriella Gaglio,Francesca Arfuso,Emanuele Brianti,Maria Catena Ferrara

doi:10.3390/ani11092523

Giovanni De Benedetto, Gabriella Gaglio + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092523

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Abstract

Simple SummaryThe dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is one of the most expensive species present in the central Mediterranean Sea and the parasite fauna of this species has not been investigated, so far. The aim of the present survey was describing the dusky grouper parasites according to fish size and parasite charge. E. marginatus specimens in two groups (cold and warm months) were also divided to establish the relation between parasite fauna and fishing period. According to the results obtained, we can speculate that the infection differences between cold and warm periods could be related to the availability of different prey representing intermediate parasites host. None of the parasites found pose a threat to humans.This study aimed to investigate parasite fauna of E. marginatus from the central Mediterranean Sea between Messina and Syracuse. In the present survey; parasite fauna of dusky grouper was investigated for two main reasons: the economic value of this species and the current lack of studies regarding the capture area. Seventy dusky groupers were caught from May 2018 to February 2020. Forty-seven out of the 70 specimens (67.2%) were infected with one or more parasite species. The most abundant species was Prosorhynchus caudovatus (42.9%), followed by Podocotyle temensis (28.6%), Didymodiclinus sp. (18.6%), Philometra jordanoi (5.7%), Anisakis Type II larvae (5.7%). Higher prevalence of infection of P. jordanoi and Contracaecum sp. was found in warm months (March to September), while P. caudovatus and P. temensis were mostly found during cold months. Weight and total length of E. marginatus were positively correlated with the parasitic load of P. jordanoi and Didymodiclinus sp. The different prevalence of parasite infection found between warm and cold months is probably related to the diet of the dusky grouper; which is characterized by mollusks that are intermediate hosts for parasite species found. None of the parasites found in the present survey is responsible for zoonosis

Highlights

Among marine fish species distributed in warm water, the dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe 1834) is one of the largest top predators in the western Mediterranean littoral ecosystems
Similar to other grouper species, E. marginatus shows an ontogenetic change in diet composition and an expansion of the trophic niche, with juveniles feeding primarily on Brachyura crustaceans and adults on cephalopods and fish [1,2]
From May 2018 to February 2020, 70 internal organs and gills of dusky groupers were collected from different fish markets or seized during official checks by veterinarians on the east cost of Sicily (Southern Italy)

Summary

Introduction

Among marine fish species distributed in warm water, the dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe 1834) is one of the largest top predators in the western Mediterranean littoral ecosystems. Epinephelus marginatus shows slow growth, fewer offspring, late maturation, large body size and long lifespan [4]. A decline in Mediterranean dusky grouper stocks has been observed over recent decades [5]. Both behavioral (e.g., site fidelity, inquisitive character) and biological (e.g., hermaphroditism, late sexual maturity, slow growth and longevity) features of this species together with artisanal fisheries and spear-fishing activities are the main factors increasing susceptibility to over-exploitation of E. marginatus and are accounted for as the foremost causes of species decline [4]

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