An ecological and morphological study of the monogenean, Metamicrocotyla macracantha, a gill parasite of the striped mullet, Mugil cephalus. (South Carolina Academy of Sciences Abstracts).As part of a survey of parasites of the striped mullet mullet: see silversides. mullet Any of fewer than 100 species (family Mugilidae) of abundant, commercially valuable schooling fishes found in brackish or fresh waters throughout tropical and temperate regions. , Mugil cephalus, in the Charleston Estuarine es·tu·a·rine adj. 1. Of, relating to, or found in an estuary. 2. Geology Formed or deposited in an estuary. Adj. 1. estuarine - of or relating to or found in estuaries estuarial system, the gill monogenean monogenean pertaining to or emanating from Monogenea. Metamicrocotyla macracantha was found and selected as the focus of this study. Mullet were collected monthly for one year from both high and low salinity sites. All fish were weighed, measured, and sexed, and all data relevant to gill parasites were recorded. The population dynamics Population dynamics is the study of marginal and long-term changes in the numbers, individual weights and age composition of individuals in one or several populations, and biological and environmental processes influencing those changes. of M. macracantha were determined according to time of year, varying salinity levels, host maturity, and presence of other gill parasites. Results showed that M. macracantha was found more frequently in winter, in higher salinities and on the smaller fish. A positive correlation between the gill copepod copepod: see crustacean. copepod Any of the 10,000 known species of crustaceans in the subclass Copepoda. Copepods are widely distributed and ecologically important, serving as food for many species of fish. Naobranchia lizae and M. macracantha appeared to be related to salinity. This data enhances our understanding of the biology of this little studied species of monogenean, as well as provides insight into the biology of the striped mullet. Funded in part by a BRIN grant. Tiffany G. Baker, William A. Roumillat, Isaure de Buron Department of Biology College of Charleston |
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