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Reproduction of Mothocya epimerica (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae), parasitic on the sand smelt Atherina boyeri (Osteichthyes: Atherinidae) in Greek lagoons

2004; Inter-Research; Volume: 62; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/dao062249

1616-1580

Ioannis Leonardos, JP Trilles,

Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies

DAO Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials DAO 62:249-253 (2004) - doi:10.3354/dao062249 Reproduction of Mothocya epimerica (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae), parasitic on the sand smelt Atherina boyeri (Osteichthyes: Atherinidae) in Greek lagoons Ioannis Leonardos1,*, Jean-Paul Trilles2 1Biological Applications and Technologies Department, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece2Equipe Adaptation Ecophysiologique et Ontogenese, UMR 5000 (UM 2-IFREMER-CNRS), Universite Montpellier 2, CP 092, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France *Email: ileonard@cc.uoi.gr ABSTRACT: The reproduction and growth pattern of Mothocya epimerica (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae), a protandrous hermaphroditic gill parasite of Atherina boyeri (Osteichthyes: Atherinidae), were investigated in the Mesolongi and Etolikon lagoons. The parasite shows an extensive reproductive period. Gravid females were found between April and November, and juveniles between May and December. M. epimerica grew allometrically (slopes of the total weight–total length regressions were >3). Females were significantly heavier than males. The relationship between number of eggs or mancas larvae (F) and total length (TL) was investigated in gravid female parasites in which the marsupium was still closed; the relationship was clearly curvilinear: F = 0.128TL3.18. The number of eggs or mancas larvae held in the marsupia of females increased proportionally with female length, varying from 39 in an isopod of 6.3 mm length to 158 in one of 8.5 mm length. The average number of eggs or mancas larvae was 76.70 ± 27.8. KEY WORDS: Mothocya epimerica · Isopoda · Cymothoidae · Atherina boyeri · Parasites · Lagoons · Reproduction Full article in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation Mail this link - Contents Mailing Lists - RSS Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in DAO Vol. 62, No. 3. Online publication date: December 13, 2004 Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580 Copyright © 2004 Inter-Research.