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An ectoparasitic typhloscolecid polychaete on the chaetognathEukrohnia hamata from the Antarctic Peninsula

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Abstract

Plankton samples taken between December 1986 and March 1987 from Hughes Bay, Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula, yielded specimens ofEukrohnia hamata with a probably undescribed typhloscolecid polychaete, tentatively assigned to the genusTyphloscolex. The polychaete was attached behind the head of the chaetognath. A description of the polychaete is provided from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy studies. We suggest that the polychaete parasitisesE. hamata, possibly by feeding on coelomic fluid, and that as a result of the injuries the chaetognath eventually loses its head. Between 0.5 and 1.6% of chaetognaths were either parasitized or headless.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    V. Øresland

  2. Swedish Museum of Natural History, S-104 05, Stockholm, Sweden

    F. Pleijel

Authors
  1. V. Øresland
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  2. F. Pleijel
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Communicated by T. Fenchel, Helsingør

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Øresland, V., Pleijel, F. An ectoparasitic typhloscolecid polychaete on the chaetognathEukrohnia hamata from the Antarctic Peninsula. Mar. Biol. 108, 429–432 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313652

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313652

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