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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: anchor worm

Synonyms and Other Names: Lernaea elegans Leigh-Sharpe 1925
Lernaea carassii Tidd 1933
Lernaea ranae Stunkard and Cable 1913
Lernaeocera esocina Hermann 1783

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Long, thin cylindrical shape with two pairs of hook-like appendages at one end.

Size: 6-11 mm (Haley and Winn 1959)

Native Range: Possibly Eurasia (McLaughlin et al. 2005).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Immatures are found on the gills while mature females are found on the outside surface of fishes where they are known to burrow into the tissue (USGS 2012).

Means of Introduction: Likely introduced through the aquarium trade (Tidd 1934).

Status: Unknown

Impact of Introduction: A minimum of 79 different native and exotic host fish species have been documented in North America (USGS 2012) many of which are found in the southeast.

References: (click for full references)

Haley, A. J., and H. E. Winn.  1959.  Observations of a lernaean parasite of freshwater fishes.  Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc. 88:128-129.

McAllister, C.T., C.R. Bursey, and S.D. Martin. 2011. Lernaea cyprinacea (Crustacea: Copepoda: Lernaeidae) anchorworms from two larval aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae, Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in northeastern Oklahoma. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci 91:37-40.

McLaughlin, P. L. and 39 others. 2005. Common and Scientific Names of Aquatic Invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Crustaceans. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 31, Bethesda, Maryland.

Nepszy, S. J. 1988. Parasites of fishes in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.  Great Lakes Fish. Comm. Tech. Rep. No. 51. 106 pp.

Tidd, W. M. 1934. Recent infestations of goldfish and carp by the ‘’anchor parasite,’‘ Lernaea carassii.  Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 64:176-180.

Timmons, T. J., and W. G. Hemstreet. 1980. Prevalence rate of Lernaea cyprinacea L. (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) on young-of-the-year largemouth bass, (Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede), in West Point Reservoir, Alabama-Georgia, U. S. A.  J. Fish Diseases 3:529-530.

USGS. 2012. Free-living and parasitic copepods (including Branchiurans) of the Laurentian Great Lakes: keys and details on individual species. http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/greatlakescopepods/_DialUp/Detail.asp?GROUP=Parasite&SPECIES=Lernaea%20cyprinacea Accessed 5/13/2012

Other Resources:
Tirmizi, H. 2003. "Lernaea cyprinacea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 14, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lernaea_cyprinacea.html

Steckler, N., and R.P.E. Yanoung. 2012. Lernaea (Anchorworm) Infestations in Fish. University of Florida IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL.

Author: Benson, A.J.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.