Moina macrocopa (Straus): A Plankton Crustacean as a Vector for Fungus-Like Fish Parasites

Authors

BAZYLI CZECZUGA
MARIOLA KOZLOWSKA
ANNA GODLEWSKA
SANDRA C. VELU

DOI

-

Abstract

The authors investigated the occurrence of fungi and fungus-like organisms (chromistan organisms) growing on dead Moina macrocopa specimens in 3 bodies of water of varied trophicity. Dead specimens of the crustacean Moina macrocopa, fish feed in aquaculture in countries of the Mediterranean basin, were used as bait. In all, 55 species were identified on the Moina macrocopa specimens, including 42 chromistan organisms and 13 fungus species. Of the 42 chromistan organisms, 13 are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish species. They included Achlya americana, Achlya debaryana, Achlya klebsiana, Saprolegnia ferax, Saprolegnia monoica, and Saprolegnia parasitica; all are known to frequently cause mycotic diseases in economically important fish populations. Dead specimens of Moina macrocopa should thus be regarded as vectors of aquatic chromistan organisms that induce mycosis in fish.

Keywords

Moina macrocopa, fungi, fungus-like organisms, mycosis in fish

First Page

19

Last Page

26

Recommended Citation

CZECZUGA, BAZYLI; KOZLOWSKA, MARIOLA; GODLEWSKA, ANNA; and VELU, SANDRA C. (2008) "Moina macrocopa (Straus): A Plankton Crustacean as a Vector for Fungus-Like Fish Parasites," Turkish Journal of Zoology: Vol. 32: No. 1, Article 3. Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol32/iss1/3