LE3 .A278 2010

2010

Dadswell, Michael

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

The Atlantic sturgeon is found along the North American Atlantic coast from Labrador to Florida. Sturgeon are long- lived, late- maturing, and infrequently- spawning and as a result overfishing has depleted some Canadian and American populations. Little is known about the ectoparasites found on Atlantic sturgeon or other fish species in Minas Basin. External macroparasites of Atlantic sturgeon and ten other species of fishes were surveyed at intertidal fishing weirs in Minas Basin, Nova Scotia and a total of 10 ectoparasite species were found. Five species were identified from sturgeon only two of which were found on other species. Parasite densities on sturgeon were compared among nine body areas. Caligus elongatus ( Copepoda) infected 81% of sturgeon surveyed, and had highest densities on the caudal fin and peduncle. Dichelesthium oblongum ( Copepoda) infected 85% of sturgeon and were found within the gills or burrowed into the musculature at the base of the fins. Calliobdella vidvida ( Hirudina) were found on 29% of sturgeon and reached significant densities on the pelvic and pectoral fins. The crustacean Argulus stizostehthii ( Branchiura) infected 12% and Nitzschia sturionis ( Monogenea) infected 8% of sturgeon but were not found at body sites in high enough densities for statistical comparison. Only D. oblongum infections were associated with visible damage and this fact warrants further investigation of the general biology of this copepod to better quantify their importance to Canadian management.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:662