Ewa Sobecka

Four pathogens found associated with Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsidae) from Lake Dąbie (Poland)

Eriocheir sinensis is a habitat for invertebrates living externally and internally. It may transport native and non-native species to new habitats. Present studies on the Chinese mitten crab from Lake Dąbie add four new taxonomic units to the number of pathogens: Ichthyophonus hoferi, Epistylis sp., Branchiobdella sp. and Digenea gen. sp., which until now have not been found in this host.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Ceratomyxa gurnardi sp. n. (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae) infecting the gallbladder of the grey gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus (L.) (Scorpaeniformes, Triglidae)

The myxosporean specimens were noted in grey gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus (L.) from the area near the Shetland Islands. The structure and dimensions of its vegetative stage differ from earlier descriptions. A sequence of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene obtained during the current study differs from other Ceratomyxa spp. available in GenBank. A phylogenetic position of parasite based on the 18S rDNA fragment was estimated. The proposed name for this myxosporean is Ceratomyxa gurnardi sp. n.

New cases of pathogens imported with ornamental fish

Abstract The global trade in live ornamental fish carries with it the potential threat of unwanted movement of pathogens. The live ornamental fish, when released into the natural environment of their destination countries, may disseminate their parasites, threatening local fish and causing economic loss in fish aquaculture. This study was aimed to explain the reasons for deterioration of health and premature death of ornamental fish: Nannostomus spp. from Colombia and Symphysodon spp. Some specimens of Symphysodon aequifasciatus Pellegrin, 1904 were captured from their natural habitats in the Amazon River basin and shipped to Poland by air mail. The hybrids of Symphysodon spp. originated from an aquarium in Poland (shared with S. aequifasciatus). The third discus fish species, Symphysodon discus Heckel, 1840 came from a fish farm in Thailand and represents an Asian breeding line. All the studied fish were infected with pathogens. Nannostomus spp. housed a single parasite species on its skin, namely Artystone minima. This isopod species was not recorded in Poland and probably in Europe before. The examined fish of the genus Symphysodon yielded 13 pathogens. Five of them Philodina sp., Ichthyobodo necator, Hexamita symphysodonis, Sciadicleithrum variabilum and Eustrongylides sp. were not earlier recorded in this host species in Poland. The findings of Ichthyophonus hoferi and Myxobolus sp. are new host records for Symphysodon spp. fish. Hybrid fish and S. aequifasciatus are reported here as hosts of Entamoeba sp. for the first time.

ASIAN PANGASIIDS-AN EMERGING PROBLEM FOR EUROPEAN INLAND WATERS? SYSTEMATIC AND PARASITOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Some species of the pangasiid catfishes are economically very important and have a large culture potential. They have been successfully bred and cultured in Thailand and Vietnam (Lerssutthichawal et al. 1999), from where they are exported to the European and American markets, processed mainly into fillets. Those fish, commonly referred to as “panga”, have hitherto been unknown to Europe and the USA. The most valuable catfish species are: sutchi catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878), and basa, Pangasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880, which can be raised in the river-based cages or earth-constructed ponds. Their hybrids are also of high economical value (Hung et al. 2003). Pangasiids were also experimentally cultured in Puerto Rico during 2003–2004. They were successfully reproduced and cultured with results similar to those achieved in Asian aquaculture (McGee 2005). Moreover, Pangasius sp. is regarded as a new species for aquaculture (however not new to market or consumers) in central and eastern Europe (Varadi 2008). It is anticipated that in the next 5 years worldwide aquaculture production of Pangasius sp. could be similar to that achieved with tilapia and salmon (McGee 2005). ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2009) 39 (2): 131–138 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2009.39.2.08

Checklist of the pathogens of lamprey species of Poland

Checklist of the pathogens of lamprey species of Poland This is a checklist of 51 pathogens of lamprey species found in Poland, including European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758), European brook lamprey Lampetra planeri (Bloch, 1784), Ukrainian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon mariae (Berg, 1931), Danubian brook lamprey Eudontomyzon vladykovi Oliva and Zanandrea, 1959 and sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus Linnaeus, 1758.

A Novel Method for Predicting Anisakid Nematode Infection of Atlantic Cod Using Rough Set Theory

Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua L.) is one of the most important fish species in the fisheries industries of many countries; however, these fish are often infected with parasites. The detection of pathogenic larval nematodes is usually performed in fish processing facilities by visual examination using candling or by digesting muscles in artificial digestive juices, but these methods are both time and labor intensive. This article presents an innovative approach to the analysis of cod parasites from both the Atlantic and Baltic Sea areas through the application of rough set theory, one of the methods of artificial intelligence, for the prediction of food safety in a food production chain. The parasitological examinations were performed focusing on nematode larvae pathogenic to humans, e.g., Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum osculatum, and Pseudoterranova decipiens. The analysis allowed identification of protocols with which it is possible to make preliminary estimates of the quantity and quality of parasites found in cod catches before detailed analyses are performed. The results indicate that the method used can be an effective analytical tool for these types of data. To achieve this goal, a database is needed that contains the patterns intensity of parasite infections and the conditions of commercial fish species in different localities in their distributions.

Case study of the diet and parasite fauna of and extremely rare fish species Lumpenus lampraeteformis (Perciformes, Stichaeidae) from the Gulf of Gdañsk (south Baltic Proper)

Abstract The snakeblenny, Lumpenus lampretaeformis, is a post glacial relict from the last ice age in the Baltic Sea. Reliable data on its diet, parasite fauna, distribution, population size, and population trends in the Baltic Sea are lacking. In the Polish zone it has been observed only in ICES subdivisions 25 (Slupsk Furrow) and 26 (Puck Bay, Krynica Morska, Władysławowo and Vistula mouth fishing grounds) at depths of 30-70 m; however, in recent decades only one finding of snakeblenny in Polish waters has been reported. This paper reports the record of one female specimen from the Gulf of Gdañsk. The individual’s morphological characters, stomach contents, parasitic fauna, age and gonadosomatic index were examined. The parasitological examination, which was undertaken for the first time on a specimen from the Baltic Sea since the 1930s, revealed that L. lampretaeformis was the host of one parasite species, namely a juvenile acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus gadi. Additionally, Pontoporeia fermorata and Halicryptus spinulosus were recorded in the stomach of snakeblenny for the first time in the Baltic Sea.

Species richness and the diversity of parasite communities of eelpout Zoarces viviparus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Oder River estuary, Poland

Abstract A parasitological study was carried out on 330 eelpouts from two fishing grounds of the Polish fishing zone off the Oder estuary (Pomeranian Bay and Dziwna Mouth). A total of 11 species and genera of parasites from six higher taxa were recorded: 1 monogenean, 1 digenean, 5 nematodes (eelpout was a new host for Ascarophis morhuae and Capillaria gracilis), 2 acanthocephalans, 1 mollusk and 1 protist (a fungus-related pathogen). A total of 4284 autogenic countable parasites were identified. These included parasites of eight species and two genera (six higher taxa) from Pomeranian Bay, and five species (two higher taxa) from the Dziwna Mouth. The abundance of parasites per host was higher in fish from the Dziwna Mouth, while the parasitic biodiversity index was almost two times lower than in Pomeranian Bay. Pomphorhynchus laevis dominated among the eelpout parasites in both fishing grounds, but the parasite communities from the Dziwna Mouth consisted of a larger number of dominating classes. The high intensity of infection of Hysterothylacium auctum and the relative density affect more the dimensions of the dominant parasite (P. laevis) in the Dziwna Mouth than the crowding of parasites. Infection by more abundant large parasites have an important influence on the value of Fulton’s coefficient.

Studies on endangered and rare non-commercial fish species recorded in the Pomeranian Bay (southern Baltic Sea) in 2010–2013

This paper presents the results of studies on endangered and rare non-commercial fish species (Spinachia spinachia, Nerophis ophidion, Syngnathus typhle, Agonus cataphractus, Pholis gunnellus, Enchelyopus cimbrius, Cyclopterus lumpus) and one lamprey species (Lampetra fluviatilis), recorded as bycatch during monitoring surveys in 2010–2013 in the Pomeranian Bay. Two species were observed for the first time in the Pomeranian Bay: A. cataphractus and E. cimbrius. Descriptions of parasite fauna are provided for C. lumpus and E. cimbrius, which were infected with four pathogenic species from Neomonada, Digenea, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala. Almost all parasite species were new in the hosts examined.

Health risks associated with freshwater fish consumption.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and density of the larval digenean trematode Paracoenogonimus ovatus in fish muscle tissue. To determine larval survival under selected thermal conditions. Place and Duration of Study: Division of Hydrobiology, Ichthyology and Biotechnology of Breeding, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, October 2009 and 2014. Methodology: Twelve fish species from Lake Dąbie (Poland) that are exploited by both commercial and recreational fisheries were selected. Samples of muscle tissue were weighed and then viewed under a trichinoscope where encysted P. ovatus larvae (metacercariae) could be counted. Then, they were subjected to artificial digestive juice (0.1% activated pepsin and 5% citric acid) to facilitate isolating the cysts from the muscle tissues. The parasites that were isolated were removed from their shells, and the species was identified. Further, ten freshwater bream fillets with encysted larvae were placed under refrigeration (4oC) and frozen (-18oC); larval viability was checked after 24, 48, and 78 h. Results: The prevalence of P. ovatus larvae increases (76.5% in 2009 and 80.5% in 2014). The highest density was noted in roach (Rutilus rutilus), freshwater bream (Abramis brama), and white bream (Blicca bjoerkna). It was confirmed that metacercariae are resistant to decreases in temperature to 4oC, but that further reducing the temperature to -18oC results in larval death in 24 h. Conclusion: Many species of freshwater fishes are infected by P. ovatus metacercariae. Eating Original Research Article Linowska and Sobecka; EJNFS, 5(4): 275-280, 2015; Article no.EJNFS.2015.025 276 improperly prepared fish and fisheries products may provide serious health problems. Further studies are needed to neutralize the living metacercariae in raw materials and food products.