On a trypanosome from the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L.

Abstract

Trypanosomes were found in 145 (24%) of 610 Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., following examination of centrifuged blood samples. The smallest infected fish measured 26 cm. Generally, parasitemias were higher in cod 26–35 cm long than in larger fish, but were more prevalent among fish 56–70 cm. The parasite could not be transmitted experimentally to Pseudopleuronectes americanus, Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus, M. scorpius, Tautogolabrus adspersus, or Limanda ferruginea, but uninfected cod were susceptible. The trypanosome appears distinct from Trypanosoma coelorhynchi Laird, 1951 from gadiform fishes in New Zealand waters. It is tentatively identified as T. murmanensis Nikitin, 1927 reported from the same host, G. morhua, captured at Murmansk, U.S.S.R.