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Related Experiment Videos

Lernaeocera branchialis: a potential pathogen to cod ranching.

R A Khan1, E M Lee, D Barker

  • 1Department of Biology and Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.

The Journal of Parasitology
|December 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Lernaeocera branchialis significantly impacts Atlantic cod health and survival, causing high mortality rates in laboratory and field settings. This parasite poses a substantial threat to the success of cod-ranching operations.

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Area of Science:

  • Aquatic biology
  • Parasitology
  • Fisheries science

Background:

  • Lernaeocera branchialis is a parasitic copepod known to infect marine fish.
  • Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are commercially important fish, and cod ranching is a developing aquaculture practice.
  • Understanding parasite impacts is crucial for sustainable aquaculture and wild fisheries management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Lernaeocera branchialis on Atlantic cod.
  • To assess the parasite's impact on cod survival and health in laboratory and field conditions.
  • To evaluate the implications of Lernaeocera branchialis infection for cod-ranching operations.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of Atlantic cod with Lernaeocera branchialis under controlled laboratory conditions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Monitoring of infected cod for mortality rates and duration over a 4-year period.
  • Field sampling of cod adjacent to a cod-ranching site to determine infection prevalence and trends.
  • Assessment of physiological parameters (weight gain, liver somatic index, liver lipid, blood values) in infected cod compared to controls.

    • Main Results:

    • Laboratory infections resulted in a 64% infection rate and a 33% mortality rate in Atlantic cod over 4 years, with 74% of deaths occurring within 4 months.
    • Field prevalence near cod ranching decreased from 30% to 15% within 2 months, and in surviving fish from 30% to 9% over 8 months.
    • Infected cod exhibited reduced weight gain, lower liver somatic index, liver lipid, and blood values compared to uninfected controls.
    • Higher-than-usual prevalence in the following year (12%) was linked to the presence of the intermediate host, lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus).

    Conclusions:

    • Lernaeocera branchialis infection causes significant mortality and adverse physiological effects in Atlantic cod.
    • The parasite's prevalence and impact can be influenced by environmental factors and the availability of intermediate hosts.
    • The high pathogenicity of Lernaeocera branchialis poses a considerable risk to the viability and success of cod-ranching initiatives.