Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) eggs parasitized by Ichthyodinium chabelardi in the north-east Atlantic: an overlooked source of mortality

Abstract

We found 1049 of 2409 mackerel eggs (46%) from 59 samples in the north-east Atlantic to be parasitized by the dinoflagellate Ichthyodinium chabelardi. The endogenous life cycle of the parasite is briefly described.