Translocated Esox lucius L. (PISCES) trigger a Triaenophorus crassus Forel (CESTODA) epidemic in a population of Salvelinus umbla (L.) (PISCES). Issue 3 (25th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schaufler, Gishild; Stögner, Claudia; Achleitner, Daniela; Gassner, Hubert; Žibrat, Uroš; Kaiser, Roland; Schabetsberger, Robert
• Is Part Of: International review of hydrobiology. Volume 99:Issue 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2014-03-25
• Subjects: Limnology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; Aquatic biology -- Periodicals; Freshwater biology -- Periodicals; 578.76
• DOI: 10.1002/iroh.201301640
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1434-2944

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="iroh201301640-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>In 2005, an epidemic of the pike tapeworm <italic>Triaenophorus crassus</italic> Forel, 1868 broke out in the Arctic charr (<italic>Salvelinus umbla</italic> (L. 1758)) stock of Lake Grundlsee, Austria. Besides the definitive host Northern pike (<italic>Esox lucius</italic> L. 1758), which was introduced into the lake in the 1960s, the cestode requires copepods as first and salmonid fish as second intermediate hosts. Within 2 years, the prevalence of the cestode in medium sized Arctic charr increased to almost 100% and the abundance reached a maximum of 55 cysts per fish, leading to the closure of the fishery. Such a massive infection of Arctic charr has never been reported. High pike abundance and the occurrence of a suitable copepod host facilitated the outbreak. The only first intermediate host <italic>Cyclops abyssorum praealpinus</italic> Kiefer, 1933 predominated the zooplankton community during May, when cestode coracidia hatch from eggs. Only during this infectious period, <italic>C. abyssorum praealpinus</italic> was eaten by Arctic charr (2–50% of prey organisms). Low fishing pressure on pike enabled the development of a large population that served as reservoir for <italic>T. crassus</italic> with up to 687 cestodes per fish. To contain the epidemic, 1671 pike were removed between 2008 and 2013. Infection of Arctic charr decreased to 60% and a maximum number of 16 cysts in 2013.</p> </sec> </abstract>