Parasitic Nematodes of Freshwater Fishes of Europe

About this book

Language: English

Parasitic nematodes (Nematoda) represent an important group of fish parasites. Many species are highly pathogenic, often causing serious diseases or even death to their fish hosts. The significance of recognizing these parasites increases with the development of aquaculture in many countries and with transcontinental transfers of fish. A prerequisite for developing effective control measures in fish culture is the exact identification of these parasites, as well as a knowledge of their, frequently complicated, host-parasite-environment relationships.

The present monograph is the first to deal in detail with all nematodes which are parasites on European freshwater fish, providing contemporary knowledge of the taxonomy, biology and ecology of these parasites. The second edition covers 86 nematode species belonging to 46 genera and 20 families. The reference list includes about 780 entries.

This book is divided into introductory chapters, including general morphological, biological and ecological data on fish nematodes, their pathogenicity and methods of study; systematic part/species descriptions, data on hosts, localization, distribution and life cycles and bionomy of all species systematically arranged; and a host-nematode parasite list.

This publication is intended for parasitologists, veterinarians, workers in fisheries, and university students. It will also be of interest to ichthyologists, museum curators, and those engaged in nature conservation.

Contents

Preface to the first edition   8
Preface to the second edition   9

INTRODUCTION   11

METHODS OF STUDY OF FISH NEMATODES   19
Examining fish for nematode parasites   19
Fixation and preservation of nematodes   21
Examination of nematodes   22
En face studies   23
Staining and mounting   24
Documentation   25
Cultivation of fish nematodes   25

MORPHOLOGY AND TAXONOMY OF FISH NEMATODES   27

BIONOMY OF FISH NEMATODES   37
Reproduction and dispersion of fish nematodes   37
  Reproduction   37
  Dispersion   41
Intermediate host-parasite relationships in fish nematodes   47
  Representation of diffrent groups of invertebrates and vertebrates as the intermediate hosts of fish nematodes   47
  Specificity of fish nematodes at the intermediate host level   49
  Ways of infection and localization in the intermediate host   49
  Dependence of the speed of development in the intermediate host on the water temperature   51
  The life span of infective larvae in the intermediate host   52
  Cases of precocity in larval development in the intermediate host   53
  Relation of infections to the body size of the intermediate host and state of its maturity   55
  Influence of the mode of life of the intermediate host on the degree of infections and their seasonal changes   56
  Effect of nematode infections on the intermediate host   58
  Importance of intermediate hosts as a source of infections for the definitive host   61
Definitive host-parasite relationships in fish nematodes   61
  Classification of hosts of adult nematodes from a viewpoint of their ontogenetic development and a suitability of definitive hosts   61
  Mode of infection and migration to the site of localization in the definitive host   65
  Rate of development and life span of nematodes in the definitive host   68
  Seasonal cycles in maturation   69
  Seasonal cycles in occurrence   73
  Distribution of nematode infections within fish populations   76
  Long-term changes in the populations of fish nematodes   82
Paratenic parasitism in fish nematodes   84
  Classification of paratenic parasitism   84
  Distribution of paratenic parasitism in nematodes maturing in fishes   89
Postcyclic parasitism in fish nematodes   94
Polyvalent hosts and alternative life cycles in fish nematodes   98
Influence of the environment on the species composition of nematodes parasitic in fishes   101
  Geographically close populations of nematodes   101
  GeographJly distant poulations of nematodes   103
  Influence of geographical factor on the composition of the nematode fauna of fishes in the environment   106
  Occurrence of nematodes in relation to the character of the environment   108

PATHOGEMCITY OF NEMATODES PARASITIZING FISHES   111

MOLECULAR STUDIES OF FISH NEMATODES   115

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE NEMATODES PARASITIZING EUROPEAN FRESHWATER FISHES   119
ADULT NEMATODES   119
  Order Enoplida . 120
  Order Ascaridida   148
  Order Spirurida   237
NEMATODES PARASITIC IN FISHES AS LARVAE   472
  Superfamily Trichinelloidea   472
  Superfamily Dioctophymatoidea   475
  Superfamily Ascaridoidea   487
  Superfamily Seuratoidea   508
  Superfamily Gnathostomatoidea   510
  Superfamily Anguillicoloidea   517
  Superfamily Dracunculoidea   517
  Superfamily Aproctoidea   519
  Superfamily Acuarioidea   521

HOST-NEMATODE PARASITE LIST   529

References   547
Index   585

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