The effect of posthodiplostomosis on the cyprinid fish fry

Abstract

Posthodiplostomosis, called also black-spot disease, is caused by metacercariae of Posthodiplostomum cuticola (Trematoda, Diplostomatidae). These parasites were studied on the cyprinid fish in floodplain area of the River Dyje in South Moravia. Twelve species from 16 totally explored Cyprinids were infected by metacercariae of P. cuticola during 1998, 1999 and 2001. Roach (Rutilus rutilus), rudd (S. erythrophthalmus), silver bream (B. bjoerkna), common bream (A. brama), bitterling (R. sericeus) and Prussian carp (C. auratus gibelio) were infected in all followed seasons. These species were histologicaly examined. During the cyst development the progressive maturation of connective tissue in outer layer of the cyst and infiltration of pigment cells were observed. Production of black pigment around the parasite cyst was chacteristic host reaction. Mainly melanocytes and in a small measure iridocytes took part in the pigmentation. The metacercariae of P. cuticola caused in the juvenile fish spine and body deformation. By high invasion the tissue dystrophy was observed