Observation on an isopod parasitizing the edible fish Parastromateus niger in the Parangipettai coast of India.

Cymothoidae are big parasites on fishes and often they are host specific. This study reports that in India, the Black pomfret (Parastromateus niger), a highly edible marine fish belonging to the family Carangidae, is the type host of Cymothoa eremita (Isopoda, Cymothoidae). Among one hundred and sixty fish examined from April to July, 2010 in Parangipettai coastal waters, only three female specimens were infested in June, 2010. It seems that such parasitism depends particularly on the season and on the host sex.

Identification of Parapenaeopsis stylifera, a new host for Epipenaeon ingens.

Epipenaeon ingens (Isopoda: Bopyridae) is reported for the first time from Parapenaeopsis stylifera (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in South India. According to the month the parasitic prevalence ranged from 0.0 to 2.9%. A characteristic bulge of the branchial chamber growth retardation and degenerated sex organs were observed in the infested shrimp.

Bopyrid isopods parasitizing on the cultured fresh water prawn, Macrobrachiummalcolmsonii in South India.

The bopyrid isopods are common in wild Macrobrachium spp. but not common in aquaculture condition. This is the first study that reports the parasitizing of bopyrid isopods on the cultured M. malcolmsonii. Bopyrid isopod (Probopyrus buitendijki) was identified in the branchial cavities of the fresh water prawn, M. malcolmsonii from grow-out culture pond at Kuriyamangalam, India. Macrobrachium malcolmsonii is a new host for P. buitendijki. A total of 1323 M. malcolmsonii were checked for this study. The overall prevalence of the parasitic infestation was reached 46.2 %. The parasitic infection was higher in female (83 %) than in male (3.4 %). Highest prevalence of infestation was found in the median size group (7-8 cm) (58.7 %). Infected females were not berried unlike uninfected prawns. The parasites cause infertility and does not found any organ deformities due to the infestation. The parasite was inversely attached in the gill chamber with no lesion on the gill but the infected branchial chamber became bulged.

On the occurrence of a double parasitism (copepod and isopod) on the anchovy fish in India.

A double parasitism (isopod and copepod) on anchovy fish, Stolephorus commersonii Lacepede, 1803 was recorded from Parangipettai (India) coastal waters during June, 2004. This is the first report from this region and the infestation is discussed in relation to environmental parameters in this short communication.

Cymothoa indica (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) parasitizes the cultured larvae of the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer under laboratory conditions.

Parasitic disease in fishes is one of the most important factors limiting aquaculture production and its economic viability. Cymothoa indica, a cymothoid isopod, is reported here for the first time parasitizing cultured larvae of the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer in India. Fourteen-day-old L. calcarifer larvae of mean weight 8.73 +/- 0.03 mg were fed with wild zooplankton in the laboratory. On Day 14 of rearing, larvae were found parasitized by cymothoids. Infected larvae reached a mean (+/- SE) weight of 98.86 +/- 0.30 mg, while uninfected specimens weighed 117 +/- 0.43 mg at the end of the experiment (Day 21). C. indica occurred in the branchial and anterodorsal regions of infected fish, where resultant skin lesions were red, hemorrhagic, without scales and with abundant secreted mucus. The cumulative mortality over the 3 wk period was 16.54 %. These parasites are transferred to the host via the zooplankton used as food; this could easily be overcome, either by filtering wild zooplankton to remove the infectious swimming larvae of C. indica or by using cultured copepods.

First record of Cymothoa indica (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) infecting the cultured catfish Mystus gulio in India.

Cymothoa indica (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is reported parasitizing the long-whiskered catfish Mystus gulio, cultured in an experimental cage in India. The specimens observed were adult males and females, which had mainly settled in the buccal cavity of juvenile catfish. The species was previously known from wild populations of Siganidae and Belonidae, but this is the first record of C. indica parasitizing the cultured long-whiskered catfish. Serious lesions, typical of a crustacean infection, were macroscopically visible inside the buccal cavity. The cumulative mortality, over a period of 10 d, was 100%. The parasitic problem was not successfully dealt with, due to an unexpected prevalence and very swift mortality.

Cymothoid parasite Ceratothoa parallela inflicts great losses on cultured gilthead sea bream sparus aurata in Greece.

For the first time Ceratothoa parallela (Otto, 1828), a cymothoid isopod, is reported parasitizing cage-cultured gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata, in Greece. The specimens observed are larvae (Pullus secundus). They were found in the branchial and buccal cavity of young gilthead sea bream of 2 g mean body weight, upon introduction in the cages in an intensive cage farm facility. The species was previously known from several species of wild fish, particularly Sparidae (chiefly Boops boops) in the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea and Atlantic Ocean. However, this is the first documentation of this parasite in cage-cultured gilthead sea bream. Serious lesions were macroscopically visible and typical of a crustacean infection. The cumulative mortality over a 2 mo period was over 50%. The parasitic problem was not successfully dealt with due to high stocking densities and the non removal of the dead fishes, resulting in constant reinfection.

First record of Emetha audouini, a cymothoid isopod parasite, from cultured sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in Greece.

For the first time, Emetha audouini (Milne Edwards, 1840), a cymothoid isopod, is reported parasitising cage cultured sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L., 1758 in Greece. The specimens observed are larvae (Pulli II). They were found in great numbers in the buccal and branchial cavity of young (3.5 m.o. old) sea bass, in an intensive cage farm facility. This parasite is certainly transferred to sea bass from wild populations of Sparidae or Centracanthidae. Serious lesions were visible and typical of a crustacean infection, with extensive and deep skin damage in the head area. The cumulative mortality, over a 2 wk period, was 10.75%. The parasitic problem was successfully dealt with by optimization of management practices rather than use of costly and dangerous chemotherapeutants.

Ontogeny of intracellular isosmotic regulation in the european lobster Homarus gammarus (L.).

Intracellular free amino acids were measured in the abdominal muscle of the three larval instars, postlarvae, and juveniles of the lobster Homarus gammarus, acclimated to seawater (35 per thousand) and to a dilute medium (22 per thousand), to study intracellular isosmotic regulation throughout the development of this species. Transfer to low salinity was followed by a highly significant drop of free amino acids level in all developmental stages. The main regulated amino acids were glycine, proline, and alanine. The level of regulation of total free amino acids changed at metamorphosis: the decrease in total free amino acids at low salinity was 46% in the three larval instars, but it was only 29% in postlarvae and 20% in juveniles. These results suggest that free amino acids, mainly glycine, proline, and alanine, are involved in intracellular isosmotic regulation in the lobster, with different levels of involvement in pre- and postmetamorphic stages. The ontogenetic changes in intracellular isosmotic regulation are discussed in relation to the changes in extracellular regulation (osmoregulation) in the lobster.

[Crustacean parasites and epizoa of the sperm whale, Physeter catodon Linnaeus, 1758 (cetacea, Odontoceti), in the Gulf of Lion (Western Mediterranean)]. / Crustacés parasites et épizoïtes du Cachalot, Physeter catodon Linnaeus, 1758 (Cetacea, Odontoceti), dans le golfe du Lion (Méditerranée occidentale).

The authors point out for the first time, fixation of the Cirriped Conchoderma virgatum (Spengler, 1790) on an Amphipod Cyamid parasite of a young sperm-whale, Physeter catodon Linnaeus, 1758, stranded on the gulf of Lion coast (Western Mediterranean). Using the scanning electron microscope, they furnish precisions on the morphology and they furnish some observations concerning reproduction and biogeography of this Amphipod, Neocyamus physeteris (Pouchet, 1888).

New records of two parasitic cymothoids from Indian fishes.

Two parasitic cymothoidae (Crustacea, Isopoda) are reported parasitizing fishes Hemiramphidae in India. Ceratothoa angulata, found in the buccal cavity of its host, is reported for the first time from India. Mothocya plagulophora, a branchial species, already known from the Southwest coast, is now recorded from the Southeast coast of India. Host-parasite relationships are considered.

[Evolution of the Y organs in certain Sphaeromatidae (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flagellifera)]. / Evolution des organes Y chez certains Sphaeromatidae (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera)

After having completed their puberty (terminal) molt, males of Sphaeroma serratum, Sphaeroma hookeri and Cymodoce truncata present a degeneration of their Y organs. The degenerative process lasts 1 to 1,5 months in reared animals: it results in a reducing length of Y organs, while nucleus become less numerous and cellular fragments appear. On the contrary, in females of these species, Y organs seem to remain up to death. These facts are perhaps a general characteristic of the family Sphaeromatidae.

[About a substance with antithrombinic activity, found in the latero-oesophageal glands of Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae; parasite of fishes) (author's transl)]. / Au sujet d'une substance à activité antithrombinique mise en évidence dans les glandes latéro-oesophagiennes de Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae; parasite de poissons)

An anticlotting factor was found recently in the cephalothoracic latero-oesophageal glands (G.L.O.) of Cymothoid Isopods (blood-sucking fishparasites). This substance is efficient on the blood of hosts such as Boops boops (L.), and also on the human plasma. The way of action and the chemical kind of this factor were investigated: Plasmatic coagulation-tests (Howell, Quick, Cephalin-kaolin, Stypven, Stypven-cephalin, Thrombin and Thrombin coagulase times) were realized on citrated plasmas of Boops and man; enzymatic activities of latero-esophageal glands and hepatopancreas of Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) were also studied. Our results show that the anticlotting action of G.L.O. extracts proceeds from an anti-thrombinic factor, certainly carbohydrate-like as heparin.

[Production of an anticoagulant substance by the cephalothoracic exocrine glands of the oestroides Cymothoidae Meinertia (Risso, 1826) and Anilocra physodes (L., 1758)]. / Production d'une substance anticoagulante par les glandes exocrines céphalothoraciques des isopodes cymothoidae Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) et Anilocra physodes (L., 1758) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae).

An anti-clotting substance active on the blood of host-fish has been isolated in the two cymothoids Anilocra physodes and Meinertia oestroides. Experiments carried out with different tissue extracts have shown that this activity occurs in the cephalon, more exactly in the laterooesophageal glands. The intestine or caecum extracts have non anti-clotting power but on the other hand, show a strong hemolytic action.

[Degeneration of the tongue of Boops [(Boops boops L., 1758) (Teleost, Sparidae)] parasitized by Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae) (author's transl)]. / Dégénérescence de la langue des Bogues [(Boops boops L., 1758) (Téléostéens, Sparidae)] parasitées par Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae).

Host fishes (Boops boops) parasitized by the cymothoid isopod Meinertia oestroides show an atrophied tonuge: its length and its initial weight can decrease of about 50%. These morphological variations are connected with deep histological alterations, such as: A more or less important vanishing of epidermis. A disorganization of the connective tissue, by numerous invading blood cells. A total vanishing of cargilage and a partial vanishing of bone, resulting from the lysis of their own fundamental substance.

[Influence of cymothoidae (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera) on some hematological constants of the host-fishes (author's transl)]. / Influence des Cymothoadiens (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera) sur certaines constantes hématologiques des poissons hôtes.

Some hematological constants (number of erythrocytes--hemaglobin rate--hematocrit--mean blood corpuscule volume--mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration--mean corpuscular hemoglobin) are studied in non-parasitized and parasitized Teleost fishes (parasites are Cymothoid Isopods). The parasitized fishes show an anaemia, resulting from a decreasing number of erythrocytes in circulation. The spleen undergoes a hypertrophy and a hypervascularization.

[Influence of the cymothoid isopods Meinertia oestroides, Meinertia parallela, and Anilocra physodes (Crustacea; parasites of fish) on the growth of hosts, Boops boops and Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae) (author's transl)]. / Influence des cymothoadiens Meinertia oestroides, Meinertia parallela et Anilocra physodes (Crustacés, Isopodes; parasites de poissons) sur la croissance des poissons hôtes Boops boops et Pagellus erthyrinus (Sparidés).

Studies of weight-size (W = aLb) and growth (L = aT + b) in fish (Boops boops and Pagellus erythrinus), potential hosts of some Cymothoid isopods (Meinertia oestroides, Meinertia parallela, and Anilocra physodes) have been performed. Infested fishes show a slight decrease in weight compared to normal fish. Cymothoid do not exert a significant influence on the weight-size ratio; on the other hand, a delay in growth does occur.

[Cymothoadian parasitosis of the sea-dace (Dicentrarchus labrax Linnaeus 1758) during breeding. II. Parasitic ecophysiology in the Diana pond (upper Corsica)]. / Parasitoses à cymothoadien chez le loup (Dicentrarchus labrax Linnaeus, 1758) en élevage. II--Ecophysiologie parasitaire dans le cas de l'étang de Diana (Haute-Corse).

This study deals with the problem of some aspects of the influence of infestation by an hematophagous parasite Nerocila orbignyi (Crustacean, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) on sea-bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax, L. 1758) ecophysiology, reared in the pond Diana (Corsica). We can summarise results as: decrease in body condition, in weight, in levels blood protein, blood lipids and triglycerides; but increase in levels blood urea. We too observe hypochromic macrocytic anemia with increase in eosinophils, neutrophils and a decrease in lymphocytes. When parasitism decrease, we remark improvement of body condition and biometry characteristics; an increase in level blood protein, lipid, cholesterol and a decrease in the level blood urea. We remark erythropoiesis stimulation.

[Nervous system control of molting in Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricus, 1787) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera)]. / Aspects du contrôle nerveux des phénomènes de lamue chez Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricius, 1787) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flaberllifera)

Removal of optic lobes does not seem to have an important effect on moulting. On the contrary, the removal of protocerebron and optic lobes from C4 males Spheroms prevents them from beginning a premoult; if the operation is performed during the D0 or D1 stages, the Spheroms advance up to D2 but do not moult. The implantation of protocerebron and of optic lobes into brainless Spheroms remaining in C4 seems to restore premoult only with difficulty. In Sphaeroma serratum, the protocerebron would therefore exert a control upon both the beginning of premoult and the ecdysis.