title: Infection of Sphyrion laevigatum (Copepoda: Sphyriidae) on Genypterus blacodes (Pisces: Ophidiidae) from the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic.
abstract: The degree of parasitism by the parasitic copepod Sphyrion laevigatum on kingclip Genypterus blacodes in the Falkland Islands was investigated. In a sample of 719 kingclip, ranging in size from 35 to 145 cm total length, the prevalence of infection was 49%. The number of parasites per fish ranged from 0 to 24, with only 2% of the sample having more than 5 parasites. There was a significant increase in mean abundance of parasites with increasing fish age and length (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). In addition, there was a significant difference in the prevalence in 1 of 3 geographical areas for the largest size class.
authors.affiliation: Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department, P.O. Box 122, Stanley, Falkland Islands. pbrickle@fisheries.gov.fk
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brickle
authors.forename: Nicole G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Buxton
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villalon
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D033342:Copepoda; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019432:Falkland Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005399:Fishes; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution