Metazoan parasites of yellowtail kingfish,Seriola lalandi lalandi, in New Zealand: Prevalence, intensity, and site preference

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of metazoan ectoparasites on the skin and gills of kingfish, Seriola lalandi lalandi (Carangidae), collected from White Island (n = 32), Ranfurly Banks (n = 7), and Three Kings Islands (n = 7), is reported. Kingfish were host to two monogenean and four copepod ectoparasite species, Benedenia seriolae, Zeuxapta seriolae, Caligus lalandei, Caligus aesopus, Neobrachiella spp., and Lernanthropus spp., respectively. B. seriolae and C. lalandei infect the skin, whereas the remaining parasites were located on the gills. All parasites exhibited considerable variability in the prevalence and intensity of infection. A few kingfish were completely devoid of C. aesopus, Neobrachiella spp., and/or Lernanthropus spp., whereas others were infected by moderate numbers of these species. However, all kingfish were infected by B. seriolae † Corresponding author. and Z. seriolae. Therefore, it appears that acclimation of wild kingfish from the east coast of New Zealand's North Island into captivity will lead to the transfer of both B. seriolae and Z. seriolae, and that effective quarantine measures will be required to avoid introducing these parasites into broodstock systems. The site preferences of B. seriolae, Z. seriolae, and C. aesopus were also investigated. B. seriolae exhibited a preference for attachment on the lateral surfaces of the skin behind the dorsal fin, but forward of the anal fin. Z. seriolae displayed a preference for attachment on gill arches 2 and 3, particularly in gill filaments located in the upper regions of the buccal cavity. C. aesopus most commonly occurred on the gill arch.

Egg-laying patterns and in vivo egg production in the monogenean parasites Heteraxine heterocerca and Benedenia seriolae from Japanese yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata

“…However, B. seriolae occurs at high prevalence and intensity in wild and farmed Seriola spp. in Australia, Japan and New Zealand (Ogawa and Yokoyama, 1998 ;Ernst et al 2002 ;Sharp et al 2003 ;Chambers and Ernst, 2005), indicating that its infection strategies are also successful despite the absence of an egg-laying rhythm. Different aspects of the biology of each of these parasite species may explain why H. heterocerca and B. seriolae display different egg-laying and egghatching rhythms and therefore rely on different infection strategies to infect the same host species.…”

Molecular Characterization of “Candidatus Parilichlamydia carangidicola,” a Novel Chlamydia-Like Epitheliocystis Agent in Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola lalandi (Valenciennes), and the Proposal of a New Family, “Candidatus Parilichlamydiaceae” fam. nov. (Order Chlamydiales)

“…Nine species are currently recognized in the genus Seriola, and three are cultured commercially around the world: S. dumerili, S. quinqueradiata, and S. lalandi (2)(3)(4). However, the establishment and commercial production of YTK aquaculture, although considered successful, has been beset by an increased incidence of disease within the cultured populations (5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Efficacy of orally administered praziquantel against Zeuxapta seriolae and Benedenia seriolae (Monogenea) in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi

“…This species feeds on blood and heavy infestations have been associated with anaemia and mortality in aquaculture of Seriola spp. in Japan (Ogawa & Yokoyama 1998), in S. lalandi in Australia (Ernst et al 2002) and New Zealand (Sharp et al 2003), and in S. dumerili in the Mediterranean (Grau et al 2003, Montero et al 2004. Benedenia seriolae, a monopisthocotylean, attaches to the skin, fins and eyes of fish using a sucker-like haptor armed with sclerites (Whittington 1996).…”