Host-Parasite Relationship of the Copepod Eye Parasite, Phrixocephalus cincinnatus, and Pacific Sanddab (Citharichthys sordidtis) Collected from Wastewater Outfall Areas

Abstract

The host-parasite relationship of Phrixocephalus cincinnatus and the <br /><br />Pacific sanddab, Citharichthys sordidus, was examined relative to season and <br /><br />distance from effluent discharge sites of wastewater treatment plants located off <br /><br />the coast of southern California. Pacific sanddabs were collected by otter trawl <br /><br />on a quarterly basis from waters off Los Angeles and San Diego. Infection with <br /><br />P. cincinnatus occurred in sanddabs ranging in size from 4.5-24.0 cm standard <br /><br />length. The prevalence of P. cincinnatus was higher on the Palos Verdes shelf <br /><br />(1.86%, measured from 1975 to 1995) and in Santa Monica Bay (1.34%, measured <br /><br />from 1989 to 1994) than off Point Loma, San Diego (0.54%, measured from 1992 <br /><br />to 1994). In 1995, prevalence of P. cincinnatus off San Diego increased to 1.90%. <br /><br />On the Palos Verdes shelf and off San Diego, prevalence of P. cincinnatus was <br /><br />highest in the winter and spring. In Santa Monica Bay, infection peaked during <br /><br />the summer months, and was highest at stations nearest to effluent discharge. <br /><br />Several new host records for P. cincinnatus are reported.