Experimental Studies of the Reproductive Behaviour of the Parasitic Copepod Lernaeocera Branchialis (Pennellidae)

Abstract

Egg-producing Lernaeocera branchialis (L.) are usually found in the gill cavity of cod (Gadus morhua (L.)) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus (L.)) (Kabata, 1979). The early larval development of the copepod includes two free-swimming nauplius stages followed by the first infective stage, the copepodite (Sproston, 1942). On an intermediate host, usually flounder (Platichthys flesus (L.)), the copepodite moults into a chalimus larva which is attached by its frontal filament to the gill tips of its host. After four successive chalimus stages, the parasite reaches maturity and copulation occurs on the flatfish host.