Lernanthropids (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida), Parasitic on Fishes from Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

Sixteen species of parasitic copepods (Siphonostomatoida) including six different genera of the family Lernanthropidae Kabata were collected from marine fishes of southeast coast of India. All fishes were collected from the fishing ports of Nagapattinam and Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, southeast coast of India for three years from January 2011 to December 2013. Off 16 identified species, two species of <em>Lernanthropinus</em>, one <em>Lernanthropsis,</em> nine <em>Lernanthropus</em>, one <em>Mitrapus</em>, one <em>Norion</em> and two <em>Sagum</em> were recorded. All these ectoparasitic copepods were recovered from the gill filaments of the host. Ecological study (season wise) was carried out for four species of lernanthropids for three years. Prevalence was higher in postmonsoon than premonsoon seasons. However, the mean intensity was not observed with much variation between seasons. Through statistical analysis we found significant interaction between prevalence and seasons for four species (P<0.001). It is a first record of the occurrence for <em>Mitrapus heteropodus</em>.