Simultaneous multiple parasitic crustacean infestation on banded needlefish, Strongylura leiura (Belonidae) from the Malabar Coast, India
The simultaneous multiple infestation by parasitic
crustacean species involving a cymothoid isopod, Mothocya
renardi (Bleeker 1857) and three copepods such as
Lernanthropus tylosuri Richiardi 1880, Caligodes lacinatus
Heller 1868 and Bomolochus bellones Burmeister 1833 was
frequently observed on Banded needlefish, Strongylura leiura
(Belonidae) captured from the Malabar Coast. 130 of 132 fish
specimens (S. leiura) collected from January 2011 to February
2012, were hyperinfested by 698 parasitic crustaceans including
226 M. renardi, 262 L. tylosuri, 158 C. lacinatus and 52 B.
bellones. Out of 132 host fishes ( S. leiura) examined, four
members showed a quadruple parasitism involving M. renardi, L.
tylosuri, C. lacinatus and B. bellones. 87 host fishes showed
triple parasitism and 38 others a double parasitism, with different
parasitic associations. In triple parasitism 4 and in double
parasitism 5 possible combinations were noticed. Two fish were
parasitized only by M. renardi. The sites of infestation by the
parasitic crustaceans are highly specific.