Global distribution patterns and geographic range of Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) associated with host fish

Abstract

Over recent years, fish parasites of the genus Cymothoa Fabricius, 1793, have received increased attention due to both their ecological and their economic importance to aquaculture and fishery. As the studies about Cymothoa have increased this improve our understanding on the host specificity and distribution of these parasites. The aim of this paper was to review the current global geographic distribution, distribution patterns and parasite-host interactions patterns of Cymothoa spp. associated with fish from marine and brackish water bodies around the world. A total of 144 samples were analyzed, from which 23 species of Cymothoa were found parasitizing 84 teleost fish species of 35 families and 20 orders. Most of these parasites were found in the mouth of the host fish, including in wild fish. The highest occurrence of parasites was found in host species belonging to the families Carangidae and Lutjanidae. Host specificity was an important factor in the geographic distribution of Cymothoa species as also environmental temperature. Cymothoa indica, Cymothoa exigua and Cymothoa excisa were the species with lowest specificity for host family and widest geographic distribution.