Salmincola lotae
Olsson, 1877
Common Name:
A parasitic copepod
Synonyms and Other Names:
Lernaeopoda lotae
Identification:
This stout and square parasitic copepod is found in the oral cavities of its host fish. It exhibits a maxilliped with subchela that ends as a solid claw. The claw is associated with a long papilla. The copepod possesses a large, flat, and round bulla associated with two maxillary arms. The bulla is typically implanted near bone or cartilage of the host fish. At the termination of the antennae, there are hook-like processes on the endopods. The 2nd maxilla is relatively long and is implanted up to 2/3rds of its length in cavities of 5–8 mm in host tissue (Lasee et al. 1988; Hudson et al. 2003). Multiple members of this genus are present in the Great Lakes - care should be taken to determine species and voucher specimens are recommended.
Size:
range in length from 5.5–6.5 mm (Hudson et al. 2003)
Native Range:
Salmincola lotae is native to Eurasia and has been recorded in the Palearctic region in Sweden, Finland, and northern Russia (Bagge and Hakkari 1982; Hudson and Bowen 2002; Grigorovich et al. 2003; Hudson et al. 2003). This species has also been recorded in Burbot from the Northwest Territories, Canada (Stewart and Bernier 1983, 1999), although there is some question over the validity of records (McDonald and Margulis 1995; Hudson et al. 2003). In spite of this, some experts have recently begun to consider that S. lotae may actually be native to the Nearctic region and thus could be native to Lake Superior (Reid and Hudson 2008).
Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Salmincola lotae was recorded from the Apostle Islands region of Lake Superior in 1985 in host Burbot (Lota lota) (Lasee et al. 1988).
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Salmincola lotae are found here.
Full list of USGS occurrences
Table last updated 5/2/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Salmincola lotae infects the oral cavity of the burbot (Lota lota) in North America and Eurasia. It probably feeds on mucous and epithelial cells, shredding its host’s epidermis. In Finland, it occurs in Burbot at depths of 50–100 m in Lake Paijanne (Bagge and Hakkari 1982; Lasee et al. 1988; Hudson et al. 2003).
Means of Introduction:
Unknown.
Status:
Established in Lake Superior.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
Current research on the environmental impact of Salmincola lotae in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment. Realized:
Salmincola species cause hyperplasia of gill filaments and growth inhibition of infected gill filaments (Piasecki and Avenant-Oldewage 2008). In Lake Superior, S. lotae has been known to cause relatively large lesions where the bulla is implanted in the mouth of Lota lota. Around 56% of the host species in the Apostle Islands region have been infected at a given time, with an average of 3.6 parasites per fish. Most often, L. lota in Lake Superior have exhibited infection in the roof of the mouth behind the vomerine teeth (Hudson et al. 2003, Lasee et al. 1988).
There is little or no evidence to support that Salmincola lotae has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
There is little or no evidence to support that Salmincola lotae has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes)
There are no known regulations for this species. Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species
Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.
Chemical
The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS 2012) suggests that alteration of water quality using carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen, and/or sodium thiosulfate could be effective in preventing upstream and downstream movement of copepods. It should be noted that the effectiveness of these methods is likely significantly diminished against copepod ephippia.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Kipp, R.M., J. Larson, T.H. Makled, A. Fusaro and R. Sturtevant.
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
9/12/2019
Citation for this information:
Kipp, R.M., J. Larson, T.H. Makled, A. Fusaro and R. Sturtevant., 2024, Salmincola lotae Olsson, 1877: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2716&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 9/12/2019, Access Date: 5/2/2024
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.