Myxosporean parasites of marine fish from the continental shelf off Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

Bile from 2793 marine fish of 28 species from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean was examined for myxosporean parasites. Twenty-two fish species were infected, some with one to three species of the six different genera observed. Six of 7 littoral and all of 16 demersal or benthic species were infected whereas 5 epipelagic or mesopelagic forms were apparently uninfected. Variations in prevalence of some species of parasites in fish hosts originating from different geographical areas of the continental shelf suggests a potential use in separating stocks on the basis of geographical location, parasite identity, and (or) migratory habits.