The effect of light on the settlement of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, on Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

Overview
TitleThe effect of light on the settlement of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, on Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L
AuthorsBrowman HI, Boxaspen K, Kuhn P
TypeComparative Study
Media TitleJournal of fish diseases
Volume27
Issue12
Year2004
Page(s)701-8
CitationBrowman HI, Boxaspen K, Kuhn P. The effect of light on the settlement of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, on Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Journal of fish diseases. 2004 Dec; 27(12):701-8.

Abstract

The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is an ectoparasitic copepod that infests both wild and farmed salmonid fish. Salmon lice are a major disease problem in the farming of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and the possibility of salmon lice playing a role in the decline of wild anadromous stocks has also been raised. Lepeophtheirus salmonis can detect a range of stimuli (pressure/moving water, chemicals and light) in the external environment. However, the response thresholds to various stimuli, and the spatial and temporal scales over which they operate in the context of host location, are largely unknown. In this context, we attempted to determine whether salmon lice copepodids settle onto hosts more effectively, or at different locations on the fish's body, under different qualities of light. Lice settlement trials were conducted under three lighting conditions; L1: unpolarized under ultraviolet A (UVA)-through visible; L2: unpolarized without UVA (control); L3: 100% linearly polarized without UVA. A dark control was also conducted. No statistically significant difference in lice settlement was found. While changes in light intensity are involved in host detection at spatial scales on the order of metres, the results presented here suggest that it is not the primary sensory modality underlying host location at smaller spatial scales (cm to mm).

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1H I Browman
2K Boxaspen
3P Kuhn
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Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelPrint
ISSN0140-7775
pISSN0140-7775
Publication Date2004 Dec
Journal AbbreviationJ. Fish Dis.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeComparative Study
Journal CountryEngland
Publication TypeJournal Article
Publication TypeResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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PMID: PMID:15575878