Potential for dispersal of Gyrodactylus salaris (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) by sea-running stages of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): field and laboratory studies

Abstract

Population growth of Gyrodactylus salaris increased exponentially on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in laboratory experiments conducted at 12.0°C. Furthermore, G. salaris was transmitted successfully from salmon smolt to parr at 0.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 20.0%° salinity and reproduced in fresh water after direct transfer from 7.5%° (16 days), 20.0%° (4 and 8 h), and 33.0%° (5, 15, and 30 min). No G. salaris were observed on salmon parr exposed to 33.0%° for 60 min. The prevalence of G. salaris on wild salmon smolts caught approximately 25 km from the river mouth in the Drammensfjord (surface salinity 2.0-3.5%°) was 71.2% compared with 88.0% on those from the neighbouring River Lierelva. Adult wild salmon caught as prespawners, spawners, and postspawners (kelts) in the River Drammenselva were infected with G. salaris. The prevalence and abundance increased from autumn to spring, in contrast with earlier studies on salmon parr, demonstrating the possible importance of adult salmon as reservoirs for G. salaris during winter. The results support the hypothesis of brackish water dispersal of G. salaris by infected salmonids migrating in estuaries and fjords. The use of salt as a disinfectant against G. salaris in hatcheries, and the stocking of possibly infected fish into brackish and seawater, should also be reexamined.