Anadromous Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) as a Host for Argulus pugettensis (Crustacea, Branchiura): Parasite Prevalence, Intensity and Distribution

Abstract

Coastal cutthroat trout [Oncorirynchus clarkii clarkii (Richardson, 1836)] from the marine waters of Puget Sound, WA, was documented as a new host for the ectoparasite Argulus pugettensis (Dana, 1852). The prevalence of A. pugettensis was 66% (49 of 74) on cutthroat trout and 0% (0 of 55) on coho salmon [O. kisutch (Walbaum, 1792)] collected during the winter of 2017/2018. Infestations occurred most frequently on the dorsal surface, with intensities ranging from 1 to 26 argulids per fish (mean intensity 3.94 = 4.93 S.D.). In contrast, the prevalence of the common salmon louse [Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837)] was 72% for cutthroat trout and 31% for coho salmon. Relative to other native salmonids, little is known regarding the status, ecology and threats for coastal cutthroat trout. New information reported here is a first step in understanding the relationship between this wild, native trout and infestations by parasitic sea lice and should be followed by future studies aimed to identify population level consequences.

Keywords

Puget Sound; ectoparasite; sea lice; cutthroat trout; salmon

Published in

Northwest Science
2020, Volume: 94, number: 2, pages: 111-117 Publisher: NORTHWEST SCIENTIFIC ASSOC

SLU Authors

• Losee, James

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3955/046.094.0202

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110041