Argulus and related species
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| Keyword |
Argulidae Leach, 1819 [WoRMS]
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| Abstract |
Argulidae are ectoparasites of fishes and amphibia in fresh, brackish and marine environments. In aquaculture and sometimes in nature they reach high numbers. They cause damage to the skin of their hosts by rasping the epidermis off with serrated mandibles and feed on the blood and epidermis of their hosts, and high intensities may cause host death. Open wounds caused by feeding and attachment are susceptible to secondary fungal and bacterial infections. Furthermore, Skrjabillanidae nematodes are transmitted by Argulus sp. and Molnaria erythrophthalmi by Argulus foliaceus. Treatment regimens are discussed but few of these are registered for use in aquaculture and prevention of infection is best practice. Suggestions for future research are provided, including a request for holistic approaches for species descriptions including light and scanning electron microscopy and genetic characterization to address the existing confusion with species identification due to incomplete descriptions as well as a call for alternative treatment strategies. |
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