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The effect of various metals on Gyrodactylus salaris (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) infections in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2004

A. B. S. POLÉO
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
J. SCHJOLDEN
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway Present address: Department of Comparative Physiology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.
H. HANSEN
Affiliation:
Zoological Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172, Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
T. A. BAKKE
Affiliation:
Zoological Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172, Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
T. A. MO
Affiliation:
National Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 8156 Dep., N-0033 Oslo, Norway
B. O. ROSSELAND
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Water Research, P.O. Box 173 Kjelsås, N-0411 Oslo, Norway
E. LYDERSEN
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Water Research, P.O. Box 173 Kjelsås, N-0411 Oslo, Norway
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Abstract

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr (age 0+), infected by the ectoparasite Gyrodactylus salaris, were exposed to aqueous aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), at 4 different concentrations. There was a negative correlation between G. salaris infections and metal concentrations in both Zn- and Al-exposed salmon. In the Zn-experiment, all 4 concentrations tested caused a decrease in the G. salaris infections, while in the Al-experiment the G. salaris infection did not decline at the lowest concentration. The number of G. salaris increased continuously during the experiments in all control groups, and in all groups exposed to Cu, Fe and Mn. At the highest concentration, however, copper seemed to impair the growth of G. salaris infection. The results show that aqueous Al and Zn are environmental factors of importance controlling the distribution and abundance of the pathogen G. salaris. Other pollutants might also have an influence on the occurrence of G. salaris. Finally, the results demonstrate that aqueous Al and Zn have a stronger effect on the parasite than on the salmonid host, suggesting that both metals may be used as a pesticide to control ectoparasites such as G. salaris.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press
Figure 0

Table 1. Chemical composition of Oslo City tap water used in the experiments (mean±S.D.)

Figure 1

Table 2. The nominal concentrations of the various metals (aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)) added to the tap water in each experiment

Figure 2

Fig. 1. Schematic presentation of the experimental setup.

Figure 3

Table 3. The concentrations (μg/l) of the various metals (aluminium (Al3+), copper (Cu2+), zinc (Zn2+), iron (Fe2+/3+), manganese (Mn2+)) to which the fish have been exposed

Figure 4

Fig. 2. Number of Gyrodactylus salaris on Atlantic salmon parr exposed to 4 different concentrations of aqueous Al (mean±S.E., n=10).

Figure 5

Fig. 3. Number of Gyrodactylus salaris on Atlantic salmon parr exposed to 4 different concentrations of aqueous Cu (mean±S.E., n=10).

Figure 6

Fig. 4. Number of Gyrodactylus salaris on Atlantic salmon parr exposed to 4 different concentrations of aqueous Zn (mean±S.E., n=10).

Figure 7

Fig. 5. Number of Gyrodactylus salaris on Atlantic salmon parr exposed to 4 different concentrations of aqueous Fe (mean±S.E., n=10).

Figure 8

Fig. 6. Number of Gyrodactylus salaris on Atlantic salmon parr exposed to 4 different concentrations of aqueous Mn (mean±S.E., n=10).