You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Student Research » FAU Graduate Student Research

The effect of parasite infection on reproductive potential of bony fish

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2014
Summary:
Accurate predictions of population growth, including reproduction, are vital for the effective management of fisheries. However, factors effecting reproductive potential in boney fishes are not entirely understood. In several species of fish, parasite infection has been associated with decreased fecundity including fewer and smaller eggs, shortened spawning season, and decreased larval survival. We examined the effect of parasite infection and life history parameters on egg quality of 40 spawning capable female common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, collected from 3 inlets on the Atlantic coast of Florida in the summer of 2013. Egg quality was measured as fatty acid DHA, PI, and EPA composition of eggs. Six major taxons of parasites were identified: Cestoda 1 adult, 68 trypanorhyncha larvae, Copepoda 1 Lernae sp., 62 Lernanthropus sp., Digenea 1 adult, Monogenea 1 adult, Nematoda 861 Contracecum sp., and Pentastomida 36 Sebekia sp.. In addition, dead parasites of unknown taxa 262 total were counted. Parasite infracommunities were described as total number of live parasites per individual, total number of dead parasites per individual, the Shannon Wiener Index H as a measure of diversity, and the Berger-Parker Index BPI as a measure of numerical dominance. Total number of dead parasites and BPI had a significant, negative effect on percent composition of DHA of eggs. Individuals with higher amounts of dead parasites 20 were predicted to drop below a 13 DHA composition threshold needed for hatching and larval success.
Title: The effect of parasite infection on reproductive potential of bony fish.
284 views
62 downloads
Name(s): Young, Joy M., author
Whittington, Jim
Graduate College
Hughes, Colin
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Poster
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Florida
Physical Form: pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Accurate predictions of population growth, including reproduction, are vital for the effective management of fisheries. However, factors effecting reproductive potential in boney fishes are not entirely understood. In several species of fish, parasite infection has been associated with decreased fecundity including fewer and smaller eggs, shortened spawning season, and decreased larval survival. We examined the effect of parasite infection and life history parameters on egg quality of 40 spawning capable female common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, collected from 3 inlets on the Atlantic coast of Florida in the summer of 2013. Egg quality was measured as fatty acid DHA, PI, and EPA composition of eggs. Six major taxons of parasites were identified: Cestoda 1 adult, 68 trypanorhyncha larvae, Copepoda 1 Lernae sp., 62 Lernanthropus sp., Digenea 1 adult, Monogenea 1 adult, Nematoda 861 Contracecum sp., and Pentastomida 36 Sebekia sp.. In addition, dead parasites of unknown taxa 262 total were counted. Parasite infracommunities were described as total number of live parasites per individual, total number of dead parasites per individual, the Shannon Wiener Index H as a measure of diversity, and the Berger-Parker Index BPI as a measure of numerical dominance. Total number of dead parasites and BPI had a significant, negative effect on percent composition of DHA of eggs. Individuals with higher amounts of dead parasites 20 were predicted to drop below a 13 DHA composition threshold needed for hatching and larval success.
Identifier: FA00005174 (IID)
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: FAU Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005174
Restrictions on Access: Author retains copyright.
Host Institution: FAU