Host condition and accumulation of metals by acanthocephalan parasite Echinorhynchus gadi in cod Gadus morhua from the southern Baltic Sea.
In this study, we analyzed the relationship between concentration of metals in the host-parasite system (cod - acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus gadi) and Fulton's condition factor (FCF) of the host. The relationship between metal (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, Zn) concentrations in E. gadi and cod tissues was expressed as a bioconcentration factor (BCF), the ratio of the concentration in the parasite tissue to that in host tissues. Acanthocephalans accumulated mainly toxic metals (Cd, Pb), as well as Sr, Ca, Na. Cadmium showed the highest bioconcentration in parasites (BCF >200) compared to fish muscle. Significant negative correlation was detected between FCF and the concentration of Cd and Hg in cod liver. In contrast, FCF was positively correlated with the concentration of Hg in acanthocephalan tissues.
National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Gdynia, Poland. Electronic address: bilbo@mir.gdynia.pl.
M
M
Podolska
National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Gdynia, Poland.
L
L
Polak-Juszczak
National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Gdynia, Poland.
K
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Nadolna-Ałtyn
D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000818:Animals; D001454:Baltic States; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D048389:Gadus morhua / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Echinorhynchus gadi; Environmental pollution; Gadus morhua; Host-parasite system; Indicators