Effect of Specific Host Body Pigmentation on the Number and Species Composition of the Parasites of Golden Specimen of Cod Gadus Morhua L. From the Svålbard Area
Effect of Specific Host Body Pigmentation on the Number and Species Composition of the Parasites of Golden Specimen of CodGadus MorhuaL. From the Svålbard AreaParasitological examination was carried out on a single specimen of the northeast Atlantic codGadus morhua morhuaL., of the unusual golden pigmentation, described for the first time in literature. It was collected together with commercially caught cod of typical colouration in the Svålbard Bank area. Only few endoparasites were found. The golden cod individual hosted five species of parasites: four species of nematodes (Anisakidae) and one of acanthocephalan (Echinorhynchidae). The species composition of parasites was probably affected by the specific golden skin pigmentation of the host.