Bao, M., A. Roura, M. Mota, D.J. Nachn, C. Antunes, F. Cobo, K. MacKenzie & S. Pascual. (2015). Macroparasites of allis shad (Alosa alosa) and twaite shad (Alosa fallax) of the Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: ecological, phylogenetic and zoonotic insights. Parasitology Research, 114(10):3721-3739.
Bao, M., A. Roura, M. Mota, D.J. Nachn, C. Antunes, F. Cobo, K. MacKenzie & S. Pascual
2015
Macroparasites of allis shad (Alosa alosa) and twaite shad (Alosa fallax) of the Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: ecological, phylogenetic and zoonotic insights.
Parasitology Research
114(10):3721-3739.
Publication
Available for editors
Samples of anadromous Alosa alosa (Clupeidae) (n= 163), and Alosa fallax (Clupeidae) (n=
223), caught in Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers from 2008 to 2013, were examined for
buccal, branchial and internal macroparasites, which were identified using morphological and
molecular methods. Alosa alosa were infected with Anisakis simplex s.s., Anisakis pegreffii,
Hysterothylacium aduncum, Rhadinorhynchus pristis, Mazocraes alosae, Hemiurus
appendiculatus, Ceratothoa italica and an unidentified ergasilid copepod. Ceratothoa italica
represents a new host record for A. alosa. Alosa fallax were infected with A. simplex s.s., A.
pegreffii, H. aduncum, H. appendiculatus, Clavellisa emarginata and an unidentified
cymothoid isopod. This is the first report of C. italica, C. emarginata and M. alosae in the
Iberian Peninsula. The phylogenetic positions of M. alosae, H. appendiculatus and C.
emarginata were assessed using 18S and 28S rRNA; our contributions provide a better
understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within their groups. Qualitative and
quantitative differences in the parasite faunas of these two shad species are consistent with
different feeding strategies. The results provide information about host migration behaviour
and transmission pathways through diet during the marine trophic phase of the shad’s life cycle,
and their roles as paratenic or final hosts and transporters of parasites between seawater and
freshwater environments. The zoonotic parasites A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii pose a risk for
consumers or riverine mammals (e.g. European otter). The use of parasites as biological tags
for shad stocks in Western Iberian Rivers could be a useful approach in multidisciplinary
studies concerning fish stock delimitation and characterization.
