Histological investigation on Ancyrocephalus paradoxus (Dactylogyridea: Ancyrocephalidae) infection causing mortalities in an intensively cultured pikeperch [Sander lucioperca (L.)] stock.

In a cultured pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) stock the monopisthocotylean monogenean gill parasite Ancyrocephalus paradoxus caused heavy infection and mortalities. The gills of the affected fish specimens were infected by 50 to 800 monogenean parasites. Severe pathological changes were found in areas where the worms attached to the gills. At the attachment sites the haptoral discs of the worms formed a deep depression in the epithelium of the filaments, and the anchors pierced into and fixed themselves to the connective tissue of the cartilaginous gill rays. At these attachment sites red blood cells released from injured capillaries were found among the damaged epithelial cells. Around the hooks, anchors and body sections coming into contact with the gill filaments a proliferative tissue developed in which only a remnant of the damaged lamellae was found. Due to the damage caused by the worms the tips of the heavily infected gill filaments fused, formed clubs and were composed of epitheloid-type regeneration tissue lacking respiratory lamellae. In the basal parts of the filaments, where most of the worms attached to the gill, only denuded filaments deprived of lamellae were observed among the cross-sectioned worms in histological sections.