Observations on some conspicuous parasites of the southern African kingklip Genypterus capensis

Abstract

The most conspicuous parasites of the kingklip Genypterus capensis are the nematode Anisakis sp. and the trypanorhynch cestode Hepatoxylon trichiuri (both endoparasites) and the ectoparasitic copepod Sphyrion laevigatum. The incidence and the degree of infestation of kingklip by all these parasites are given, but in terms of pathological destruction, all can be classified as minor enemies of the species. Although kingklip co-occur with the Cape hakes and both endoparasites are found in both species, the degree of infestation varies substantially between them. The possible reasons for this difference and also the economic effects of the ectoparasite are discussed. © 1986 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.