Lophoura edwardsi (Sphyriidae: Siphonostomatoida), a parasite of Coelorinchus caelorhincus (Macrouridae) from the Central Mediterranean

Hollowsnout grenadier (Coelorinchus caelorhincus) collected from several locations in the Strait of Sicily (southern Sicilian coasts) were examined for the presence of Lophoura edwardsi, a parasitic copepod. A total of 94 out of 924 C. caelorhincus were parasitized. Each parasite was attached with the cephalosome buried deep in the dorsal musculature of the host. The parasite caused skin ulceration and deep lesions resulting in granulomatous and inflammatory reactions extending deep into the musculature of the host. A longitudinal gradient (W-E) in parasite presence was detected with prevalence ranging from 0 to 34.6%. This study establishes the record for the shallowest finding of the genus Lophoura, just below 100 m. A negative correlation was found between prevalence vs depth and host length. No copepods were observed on C. caelorhincus longer than 70 mm (pre-anal length). Epidemiological data from experimental trawl surveys combined with GIS modelling of marine parasites might result in better management of marine resources. The wide spatial coverage, such as that investigated by MEDITS trawl surveys, may allow a distribution analysis of marine parasites that would prove to be extremely useful in identifying deep-sea fish stocks.