Recent Advances in the Biology of Peniculus minuticaudae and P. truncatus (Siphonostomatoida: Pennellidae)

Abstract

The genus Peniculus von Nordmann (Pennellidae) is one of the parasitic copepods frequently reported from Korea. In Korea, two species such as Peniculus minuticaudae Shiino and P. truncatus Shiino have been reported with their complete redescription from black scraper Thamnaconus modestus and Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, respectively. Likewise, two more species P. fistula von Nordmann and P. quadratus Moon and Choi have recently been reported from wild fishes of Korea. The notorious species P. minuticaudae was also reported from farmed and some of the aquarium fishes in Japan. The severity of P. minuticaudae infection is high in both the countries and it has so far not been reported from elsewhere. The ecological studies on both pennellids are recently reported in Korea and the complete life cycle of P. minuticaudae was studied in Japan. The seasonal occurrence and habitat of both pennellids were studied for two years from July 2011 to June 2013. The habitat of both pennellids, i.e., the fins was severely damaged. Prevalence of P. minuticaudae was 85%, mean intensity 3.25, and maximum intensity 33. Season wise, infestation was observed as the highest in autumn (September-November), and the lowest in winter (December-February) seasons. Prevalence of P. truncatus was 37.5%, mean intensity 0.37 and maximum intensity 6. Infestation was highest in summer (June-August), and lowest in winter. P. minuticaudae was recocription from black scraper Thamnaconus modestus and Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, respectively. Likewise, two more species P. fistula von Nordmann and P. quadratus Moon and Choi have recently been reported from wild fishes of Korea. The notorious species P. minuticaudae was also reported from farmed and some of the aquarium fishes in Japan. The severity of P. minuticaudae infection is high in both the countries and it has so far not been reported from elsewhere. The ecological studies on both pennellids are recently reported in Korea and the complete life cycle of P. minuticaudae was studied in Japan. The seasonal occurrence and habitat of both pennellids were studied for two years from July 2011 to June 2013. The habitat of both pennellids, i.e., the fins was severely damaged. Prevalence of P. minuticaudae was 85%, mean intensity 3.25, and maximum intensity 33. Season wise, infestation was observed as the highest in autumn (September-November), and the lowest in winter (December-February) seasons. Prevalence of P. truncatus was 37.5%, mean intensity 0.37 and maximum intensity 6. Infestation was highest in summer (June-August), and lowest in winter. P. minuticaudae was reco