Ectoparasites of the southern mullet Liza Richardsonii in the Berg Estuary, South Africa

• Main Author: Van Praag, Alex
• Other Authors: Smit, N J
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Applied Marine Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6450

Includes bibliographical references. === The aims of this study were to observe changes in ectoparasite abundance and diversity on fish in relation to salinity gradients in the Berg Estuary. The host species studied was the commercially important, euryhaline southern mullet Liza richardsonii that is superabundant in estuaries of the Western Cape. A total of 210 fishes were sampled by using a single haul with a beach seine net at each of seven localities along a salinity gradient from the mouth to the upper reaches. Seven species of parasite were found. These included five species of Copepoda; a member of the family Caligidae, an Ergasilus species, a Dermoergasilus species, a Brachiella species and an unidentified caudal fin parasite. Two representatives of the Monogenea were found, one from the family Microcotylidae and another that was not identified.