Polypodium sp. (Coelenterata) from Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque) in the Prairie Region of Canada

Abstract

Polypodium sp. is reported for the first time from Canadian waters. It occurred in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) eggs, from the Nelson River, Manitoba, and from Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. The prevalence of this parasite was 100% in females with eggs of 3.0 mm diameter or more. One, 4, 25, and 179 infected eggs were collected in gonads with eggs of this size class, but infected eggs were not apparent in individuals with smaller eggs. This is the northernmost occurrence of this parasite reported in North America.

Reintroduction of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) into the St. Regis River, NY: Post- Release Assessment of Habitat Use and Growth

“…Some of these parasites are common in other fishes with similar feeding patterns and habitat preferences, while other parasites are associated only with the sturgeons, indicating a strong phylogenetic relationship and specificity at the host family level. The coelenterate parasite, Polypodium hydriforme, infects the mature ova of lake sturgeon destroying the egg (Dick et al 1991). This parasite has been reported from the United States, but has been reported in Canada only from the Rainy, Winnipeg, Nelson and Saskatchewan rivers; however, it probably occurs in other parts of Canada as well (Dick et al 1991).…”

“…The coelenterate parasite, Polypodium hydriforme, infects the mature ova of lake sturgeon destroying the egg (Dick et al 1991). This parasite has been reported from the United States, but has been reported in Canada only from the Rainy, Winnipeg, Nelson and Saskatchewan rivers; however, it probably occurs in other parts of Canada as well (Dick et al 1991).…”

Fauna of the Mediterranean Hydrozoa.

“…References : Bigelow (1909); ; Lakkis and Zeidane (1985); Goy et al (1988Goy et al ( , 1990Goy et al ( , 1991; ; References : Raikova (1958: Raikova ( , 1973: Raikova ( , 1980: Raikova ( , 1988: Raikova ( , 1994; Suppes and Meyer (1975); Dick et al (1991 …”

Epidemiology of Polypodium hydriforme in American Paddlefish

“…There have been sporadic publications concerning infections identified as either Polypodium sp. or P. hydriforme in populations of North American sturgeons (including Shovelnose Sturgeon [ Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Rafinesque 1820], Lake Sturgeon [ A. fulvescens Rafinesque 1817], White Sturgeon [ A. transmontanus Richardson 1836] (Dick, Holloway, & Choudhury, 1991; Fisheries & Oceans Canada, 2014; Hoffman, Raikova, & Yoder, 1974; Sepúlveda, Stefanavage, & Goforth, 2010) and American Paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula Walbaum 1792) (Holloway, Dick, & Ottinger, 1991; Raikova, Suppes, & Hoffmann, 1979; Suppes & Meyer, 1975)). At present, a single species of P. hydriforme is recognized.…”