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Sea Lice Infestations of a Wild Fish Assemblage in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Journal Article · · Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. School of Marine Sciences University of Maine 5741 Libby Hall Orono Maine 04469 USA
  2. Aquaculture Research Institute and School of Marine Sciences University of Maine 5735 Hitchner Hall Orono Maine 04469 USA
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center 25 Salmon Farm Road Franklin Maine 04634 USA
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Abstract

Little research on wild fish and sea lice interactions has occurred in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, particularly for the sea lice species Caligus elongatus . This project quantified infestations of sea lice on wild fishes of Cobscook Bay, Maine. Field examinations of 6,334 fish during March–November 2012 were used to determine host species and infestation prevalence. Of these, 253 fish were examined under magnification to identify sea lice genus, infestation intensity, sea lice life cycle stages, and attachment locations of chalimus stages. We used DNA sequencing on 175 (34%) individual lice to confirm sea lice species. Caligus elongatus was the only observed sea lice species and was found on 10 fish species, including eight newly identified hosts. Nonmotile chalimus were the predominant life stages observed, accounting for 95.87% of sea lice, and were predominantly attached to hosts' fins. Overall infestation prevalence and intensity among all sampled fish were low—less than 5% and just one sea louse per fish, respectively. Among the three most common host species, Threespine Sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus had the highest infestation prevalence and intensity. These results are the first reported data for sea lice presence on a wild fish assemblage in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, the identification of new hosts for C. elongatus and the lack of observed infestations by the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis will be used to inform sea lice management efforts in aquaculture operations.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1786859
Journal Information:
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 145; ISSN 0002-8487
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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