Site-specific Parasitism of Crustaceans on the Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger (Carangidae) from Indian Waters

Abstract

An extensive parasitic survey on the Black Pomfret Parastromateus niger (Bloch) (Carangidae) was carried out along the coastal waters of India. A total of 162 host fish (P. niger) were collected, in which 72.2% of the fish were infested with parasitic crustaceans. Six species of parasitic crustaceans were collected, including one species of cymothoid isopod Cymothoa eremita (Brünnich, 1783), and five species of copepods belonging to five different families such as Bomolochus megaceros Heller, 1865 (Bomolochidae), Lernaeenicus stromatei Gnanamuthu, 1953 (Pennellidae), Lernanthropus koenigii Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861 (Lernanthropidae), Synestius caliginus Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861 (Caligidae) and Thysanote appendiculata. (Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861) (Lernaeopodidae). Even though six species of parasitic crustaceans were recovered from the host fish, simultaneous multiple parasitism seldom occurred (only 10%). The prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance of each parasite were calculated. The taxonomic account, host, site, and niche-specific parasitization of each species, are discussed. The present study also reviewed and discussed the simultaneous multiple co-occurrence of parasitic crustaceans.