Seasonal dynamics and persistence of Gyrodactylus salaris in two riverine anadromous Arctic charr populations

Abstract

The seasonal occurrence of the monogenean ectoparasite Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg infecting Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.) in the two rivers Skibotnelva and Signaldalselva in northern Norway was studied in the period from autumn 2003 to autumn 2005. Skibotnelva has been infected with the parasite since 1979, and treated with rotenone twice. Most likely resident Arctic charr avoided the rotenone treatment in small tributary streams, and thus was the source of the repeated re-infection of this river. G. salaris was first recorded in Signaldalselva in the year 2000 and it is still untreated. Unlike Atlantic salmon, which is highly susceptible to G. salaris, Arctic charr can display a wide range of host-responses to G. salaris infections. Arctic charr were sampled by electro fishing with a total sample of 681 Arctic charr. The results from this study demonstrate an evident seasonal dynamic in G. salaris infection in charr in both rivers. Parasite intensities fluctuated with the rise and fall in temperature through the year, with an autumn high and spring low. There was a significantly lower prevalence and mean intensity of G. salaris in Skibotnelva than in Signaldalselva. There were also a lower prevalence and intensity of G. salaris in the older than in the youngest charr. The different history of infection and treatment in the two rivers might be the underlying cause of these observed dissimilarities. The current study indicates that Arctic charr is a good natural host for G. salaris.