Gyrodactylus salaris
Species of flatworm / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gyrodactylus salaris, commonly known as salmon fluke,[1] salmon killer, or the Norwegian salmon killer is a tiny monogenean ectoparasite which lives on the body surface of freshwater fish.[2] This leech-like parasite has been implicated in the reduction of Atlantic salmon populations in the Norwegian fjords.[3] It also parasitises other species, including rainbow trout.[4] G. salaris requires fresh water,[2] but can survive in brackish water for up to 18 hours.[5]
Gyrodactylus salaris | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Platyhelminthes |
Class: | Monogenea |
Order: | Gyrodactylidea |
Family: | Gyrodactylidae |
Genus: | Gyrodactylus |
Species: | G. salaris |
Binomial name | |
Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 | |
The parasite is 0.5 mm (0.02 in) long,[2] and cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be seen with a magnifying glass.[6] On its posterior end is a haptor, a specialized organ for attaching to the host fish, which has sixteen hooks around its edge.[2] The parasite is viviparous, that is, it produces live offspring.[7] The parasites give birth to live young nearly as big as themselves and at this time, a further generation is already growing inside the neonates.[4]