Helminths of antarctic rockcod Notothenia coriiceps (Perciformes, Nototheniidae) from the akademik Vernadsky station area (Argentine Islands, West Antarctica): new data on the parasite community

Abstract

Th e aim of our study was to update the information on taxonomic diversity and structure of the parasite community of Antarctic rockcod, Notothenia coriiceps in the coastal water off the Argentine Islands (Wilhelm Archipelago, Graham Land, West Antarctica). Th e material for this study was collected in 2014-2015 at the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky". More than 8,500 specimens of parasites from 106 host specimens were collected and identifi ed. All fi shes were found to be infected with helminths; 25 helminth species were identifi ed. Acanthocephalans were recorded in 93.4 % of hosts; eight species of acanthocephalans (Metacanthocephalus rennicki, M. johnstoni, M. campbelli, M. dalmori, Aspersentis megarhynchus, Corynosoma hamanni, C. pseudohamanni, and C. evae) were found. Nematodes were found in 96.2 % of fi shes; larval stages of Pseudoterranova sp., Contraceacum sp., Anisakis sp. and adults Ascarophis nototheniae and Dichelyne fraseri were identifi ed. Trematodes were found in 94.3 % of fi shes; seven species (Macvicaria georgiana, Neolebouria antarctica, Lepidapedon garrardi, Genolinea bowersi, Elytrophalloides oatesi, Lecithaster macrocotyle, Derogenes johnstoni) were identifi ed. Larval stages of cestodes (Diphyllobothrium sp. and tetraphyllidean metacestodes) and the monogenean species Pseudobenedenia nototheniae were found. Our studies revealed signifi cant changes in the structure of the parasite community of N. coriiceps during the last decade.

New perspectives on Aspersentis Megarhynchus (Acanthocephala: Heteracanthocephalidae) from Notothenia Coriiceps Richardson (Nototheniidae) in the West Antarctic, with emended generic diagnosis

“…megarhynchus found in the 106 individuals of N . coriiceps examined were 13.2% and 4.0, respectively (Kuzmina et al ., 2020). Prevalence (%) and mean abundance of A .…”

“…Acanthocephalans were found in 93.4% of N. coriiceps with intensity from 1 to 106 (mean intensity 24.7; median intensity 17) specimens per fish with a mean abundance of 23.04. The prevalence and mean intensity of specimens of A. megarhynchus found in the 106 individuals of N. coriiceps examined were 13.2% and 4.0, respectively (Kuzmina et al, 2020). Prevalence (%) and mean abundance of A. megarhynchus infections of N. coriiceps in the waters surrounding the UAS 'Akademik Vernadsky' in 2014-2015 were 13.2% and 0.53, respectively (Kuzmina et al, 2020) compared to 2.0% and 0.16 in 2002 (Zdzitowiecki & Laskowski, 2004).…”

“…A total of 106 individuals of N . coriiceps were caught using a fishing rod off the shore of the Galindez Island at depths from 10 to 30 m (see Kuzmina et al ., 2020). All fishes collected were immediately transported to the laboratory, measured and examined using the standard parasitological techniques (see Zdzitowiecki & Laskowski, 2004; Weber & Govett, 2009).…”

“…Collections of helminths were made in April 2014-February 2015 during the 19th Ukrainian Antarctic expedition to the Ukrainian Antarctic Station (UAS) 'Akademik Vernadsky' on the Galindez Island, Argentine Islands (65°15 ′ S, 64°16 ′ W). A total of 106 individuals of N. coriiceps were caught using a fishing rod off the shore of the Galindez Island at depths from 10 to 30 m (see Kuzmina et al, 2020). All fishes collected were immediately transported to the laboratory, measured and examined using the standard parasitological techniques (see Zdzitowiecki & Laskowski, 2004;Weber & Govett, 2009).…”

“…Tentative identification of the parasites was performed in temporary total mounts of the Berlese medium according to Zdzitowiecki (1983Zdzitowiecki ( , 1984aZdzitowiecki ( , b, 1987 in the laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology in Kyiv, Ukraine, where specimens were deposited (see Kuzmina et al, 2020).…”