Parasites from Two Species of Suckers (Catostomidae) from Southern Utah

Great Basin Naturalist

Volume 40 Number 2 Article 11

6-30-1980

Parasites from two species of suckers (Catostomidae) from southern Utah

J. Craig Brienholt Brigham Young University

Richard A. Heckmann Brigham Young University

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Recommended Citation Brienholt, J. Craig and Heckmann, Richard A. (1980) "Parasites from two species of suckers (Catostomidae) from southern Utah," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 40 : No. 2 , Article 11. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol40/iss2/11

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Basin Naturalist by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. PARASITES FROM TWO SPECIES OF SUCKERS (CATOSTOMIDAE) FROM SOUTHERN UTAH

Biieiiholt' A. J. Craig and Richard Heckmann

.\bstr\c:t.— Twenty Ciitostoiims latipiiiuis and 50 Catostomiis lUscohohs from La Verkin Creek and the Fremont River in southern Utah were collected and surveyed tor parasites. Data from the survey indicated that 83 percent of the fish were infected with at least one parasite, with the fish from La Verkin Creek harboring more parasites. Twelve genera and 12 species of parasites were identified from these fish. .\ monogenetic trematode, G\jwd(trtiilus dedans, which was found in 90 percent of the fish, was the most common parasite. Comments are included on habitat and host variations for the parasitofauna from suckers taken from the two locations.

A survey of the parasites of the cato,sto- and completely change the nature of the mids, Catostomiis latipinnis and C. discoboUs, streams and change the macroinvertebrate was conducted at La Verkin Creek, southern population. Because of this, fish species, e.g., Utah, and the Fremont River near Hanks- salmonids and centrarchids, that cannot with- ville, Utah. The objectives of this survey were stand the instability of the stream and the to provide a hst of parasites for C. discoboUs consequent change in macroinvertebrate food and C. latipinnis in La Verkin Creek and source are not found extensively in these two Fremont River and to correlate water param- streams. The ichthyofauna found in the study eters and benthos from these streams with area of the Fremont River are: Longnose parasite loads. Both streams contain well-e.s- dace, RJiinichthys cataractae; speckled dace, tablished populations of the listed suckers. An R. osciiliis; leatherside chub, Gila copei; blue- exhaustive survey of parasites can explain the head sucker, C. discoboUs; and flannelmouth source or reservoir of serious pathogens for sucker, C. latipinnis (Heckmann 1976). The endangered species and commercially impor- speckled dace and leatherside chub are omni- tant fish. vores that feed on aquatic plants, insects, and Catostomids are found exclusively in North cmstaceans. The flannelmouth suckers are America, excluding two or three Asiatic spe- herbivores which feed on algae, diatoms, cies (Pflieger 1975). Catostomiis discoboUs is parts of higher plants, and seeds. The blue- found in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada in the fol- head sucker is a bottom feeder which scrapes lowing drainages: Colorado River above the algae and other organisms from rocks (Sigler Grand Canyon, upper Snake River, Bear Riv- and Miller 1963). The largest fish found in er, and Weber Lake outflows. Catostomiis the Fremont River is the flannelmouth sucker latipinnis is unique to the Colorado River and the smallest is the speckled dace. None drainage (Eddy 1959). Information con- of the fish found in the sample area are pisci- cerning the life history of these two .species is vorous. All fish feed either on aquatic in- limited. Catostomid levels in both study areas vertebrates or plant material. Fi,sh predators for this project are maintained by resident mav include birds and small mammals. sucker populations. Fish .species inhabiting the survey site at Both of the streams selected in this survey La Verkin Creek are: speckled dace, R. os- are unstable desert streams. Much of the sub- cuUis; Virgin River spinedace, Lcpidomeda strate is sand which shifts and prevents deep mollispinis; red shiner, \otropiis liitrcnsis; pools from forming. Flash floods can disrupt woundfin minnow, Plagopterus argentissimus;

'Department of Zoolog\', Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602.

149 150 Great Basln Naturalist Vol. 40, No. 2 flannelmouth sucker, C. kitipinnis; bluehead bluehead suckers were collected from the sucker, C. discoholis or desert sucker, C. Fremont River one mile west of Capitol Reef clarki; and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri National Park, near Hanksville, Utah. The (Winget and Baumann 1977). La Verkin fish were transported to Brigham Young Uni- Creek, in comparison to the Fremont River, versity in iced holding tanks. Limited num- is more stable and less turbid, resulting in the bers of fish were obtained due to collecting presence of riffles, pools, and some holes restrictions. 1-1.5 m deep. Because of the difference in Each fish was checked for parasites. The stream conditions, rainbow trout are planted suckers were euthanized by a blow to the by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in head before being weighed and measured small numbers. Two species of fish, L. moUis- (Table 1). Following macroscopic exam- pinis and P. argentissimus, are considered en- ination, scrapings of the surface, gills, medial dangered. The woimdfin minnow, rainbow area of the opercula, and eyes, were exam- trout, and Virgin River spinedace are consid- ined for parasites. Because the blood vessels ered carnivores feeding mainly on in- were niptiued, gill scrapings were used to vertebrates. Catostoriius discoholis and N. lut- check for hemoflagellates. Intestine, liver, rensis are considered bottom-dredging and gall bladder were excised and examined detritovores. Catostoinus kitipinnis and R. os- for endoparasites. The presence of metacer- culus are selective omnivores (Winget and cariae inhabiting the liver was checked by Baumann, 1977). The top carnivore in a tro- pressing a piece of the organ between two phic scheme would be S. gairdneri because it glass slides and examining it without magnifi- may feed on smaller fish. Direct competition cation.

"s virtually eliminated because those species Protozoans were either air dried or pre- vith similar feeding habits have different served in 10 percent formalin. Permanent habitat preferences or specific food prefer- preparations of monogenetic trematodes ences (Winget and Baumann 1977). were made with Turtox mounting and stain-

Parasites of catostomids other than C. lati- ing medium (nonresinous stain mountant pinnis and C. discoholis have been studied by CMC-S). Leeches were also fixed in formalin researchers in the United States and Canada. and all were identified tlirough the use of Hoffman (1967) lists known parasites for 12 keys listed in Hoffman (1967). species of catostomids. Other surveys have Cestodes were placed directly into AFA been conducted bv Voth and Larson (1968), fixative to prevent total relaxation. Digenetic Amin (1969), Threlfall and Hanek (1970), trematodes were placed in 95 C water to Amin (1974), White (1974), Mackiewicz promote relaxation and then placed in AFA (1963), Price and Arai (1967), Dechtiar fixative. Cestodes and digenetic trematodes (1969), Daly and De Giusti (1971), Clifford were stained with Semichon's carmine for 12 and Facciani (1972), Hathawav and Herlev- hours and then destained in changes of acid ich (1973), Schell (1974), andHayunga and alcohol to improve color contrast. After des- Grey (1976). The most widely studied ca- taining, the specimens were dehydrated in 95 tostomids are white suckers, C. cornmersoni, percent and 100 percent ethyl alcohol for and longnose suckers, C. catostomiis. These one hoiu' each. Once dehydrated, specimens surveys deal primarily with metazoan para- were cleared in xylene and then mounted sites, and little information concerning the with Permount on glass slides. Morphological protozoan parasites is included. characteristics given in Hoffman (1967) were used for identification of trematodes and nematodes. Preliminary identification of the M.\TERIALS AND METHODS caryophyllid tapeworms was confirmed by John S. Mackiewicz (State University of New Through the use of electrofishing, 18 York at Albany). flannelmouth suckers and 40 i)luehead suck- Water chemistry and macroinvertebrate ers were collected from La Verkin Creek data were obtained from studies by Heck- near the Toquerville cemeterv, southern mann (1976), Winget and Reichert (1976), Utah. Two flannel-mouth suckers and 10 and Winget and Baumann (1977). June 1980 Breinholt, Heckmann: Fish Parasites 151

Results

Data from the examination of 40 bluehead and 18 flannelmouth suckers from La Verkin Creek in southern Utah indicated that 55 suckers harbored at least one species of parasite. Thirty-seven of 40 bluehead suckers were infected and all 18 flannelmouth suck-

ers harbored parasites (Table 2). Postmortem examination of 12 suckers from the Fremont River revealed one of 10 bluehead suckers and 2 of 2 flannelmouth suckers were para-

sitized (Table 2). Twelve genera and 12 species of parasites were identified from fish from La Verkin Creek. The most frequently encountered parasite was Gyrodactylus elegans, a monogenetic trematode which was found in 52

Table 1. Weights and measurements of fish examined. 152 Great Basin Naturalist Vol. 40, No. 2

Differences in protozoan parasite load and 78 percent of the flannelmouth suckers, from the two species of fish taken from La but C. marginatum was found only in 11 per- Verkin Creek are as follows: Myxosoma sp.. cent of the flannelmouth suckers. The 25 percent bluehead suckers and 6 percent flannelmouth suckers have a higher incidence flannelmouth suckers; Myxidium sp., per- of both species of caryophyllid cestodes. cent bluehead suckers and 22 percent MonobotJirium hunteri was found in 38 per- flannelmouth suckers; Trichodina sp., 80 percent of the bluehead suckers and 78 percent cent bluehead suckers and 22 percent of the flannelmouth suckers, and /. hexacotyJe flannelmouth suckers were infected. For the was found in 33 percent of the bluehead metazoan parasites, G. elegans was fomid in suckers and 83 percent of the flannelmouth 90 percent of the bluehead suckers and 89 suckers. The nematode Cystidicola sp. and percent of the flannelmouth suckers, Octoma- the leech Piscicola sp. were symbiotic exclusi- cntm lanceatum and P. alahamus were found vely to the bluehead suckers. Three percent exclusively on bluehead suckers, 3 percent of the fish were infected with each of these and 6 percent, respectively. Neascus sp. was two parasites. found on 28 percent of the bluehead suckers One species of parasite was recovered from

T.\BLE 2. Number and percentage of bluehead and flannelmouth suckers parasitized from La Verkin Creek and the Fremont River.

Total fish Total fish La Verkin Creek Fremont River Host species sampled parasitized fish parasitized* fish parasitized^

Bluehead sucker 50 38 ( 76%) 37 ( 93%) 1 ( 10%) Flannelmouth sucker 20 20 (100%) 18 (100%) 2 (100%)

Total 58 ( 83%) .55 ( 95%) 3 ( 2,5%)

*58 fish examined from La Verkin Creek (40 bluehead and 18 flannelmouth suckers). ''12 fish examined from the Fremont River 1 10 bluehead and 2 flannelmouth suckers).

Table 3. Parasites identified from 58 suckers from La Verkin Creek.

Number and percentage of Parasite species June 1980 Breinholt, Heckmann: Fish Parasites 153 the fish examined from the Fremont River heavily parasitized, both in the number of

(Table 4). Gyrodactyhis elegans was identi- fish infected and in the number of species en- fied in 25 percent of the fish examined. Ten countered, than were the fish from Fremont percent of the bluehead suckers were in- River. Explanation for these differences may fected with this inonogentic trematode, and be attributed to many factors, such as water 100 percent of the flannelmouth suckers qualitv and macroinvertebrates. Water chem- were infected. istr\ for the two streams was found to be sim- Table 5 lists the preferred tissue in the host ilar except during spring rvmoff. for each parasite. These parasites were found Oligocheates, which usually act as the in- in onlv five areas of the fish. Eight of the par- termediate hosts for caryophyllid tapeworms asite species were fomid on the external sur- (Mackiewicz 1972), occur in both streams. face and only four were found in more than Recent studies listed 14,203 (Winget and one area. Baumann 1977) and 882 (Heckmann 1976) oligocheates per m^ in La Verkin Creek and Fremont River, respectivelv, where the fish Discussion for this studv were obtained. The number of There are habitat and host variations for oligocheates should not have caused the dif- the parasitofauna from suckers taken from La ference in parasite load because infected V'erkin Creek and Fremont River. The ca- worms would have been ingested by fish tostomids from La V'erkin Creek were more from both streams. Milbrink (1975) correlates

Table 4. Parasites identified from 12 suckers from the Fremont River. 154 Great Basin Naturalist Vol. 40, No. 2 the caryophyllid worm burden of fish with (Hoffman 1967). The other intestinal hel- the number of infective oligocheates con- minths, Monobothrium hunteri and Isoglari- sumed. If the Fremont River contained in- dacris hexacotyle, are adult cestodes that usu- fected oHgocheates, some of the fish sampled ally cause little damage to the definitive host. should have been infected. High numbers (200 plus) result in mechanical The geographical location of the two blockage or cause nutritional deficiencies streams may have caused the difference in (Mackiewicz 1972). The adult worms adhere parasite load. Parasites can be found in one to the intestinal lining by means of suckers. area but not in another even though both There is little intestinal damage by individual have similar aquatic characteristics. Myxo- cestodes because the scolex is unarmed. soma cerebralis, a myxosporidan parasite The metacercariae of Neascus sp. and Cli- which caused whirling disease in trout, has nostomwn marginatum were recovered from been reported in eight states (American Fish- suckers from La Verkin Creek. For these eries Society, 1974). Whirling disease has not trematodes, the metacercarial stage is usually spread to the other states even though suit- encysted in the second intermediate host and able habitats exist. Diplostomum spathacewn, does not cause damage through migration the eye fluke of fish, has been reported in (Hoffman 1967). Unless the metacercaria is some areas of Utah but not others (Palmieri, encysted in vital organs, such as a parasite in

Heckmann, and Evans 1976). the eye lens (D. spathaceum), it does not Most parasites have some effect on the present a pathogenic health problem to the health of the host (Olsen 1974). The fish sam- fish. (Neascus sp. was observed encysted in pled from the Fremont River were infected the fins and gills. The cysts found in the gills with only one species of parasite, Gijro- were not numerous and did not appear to in- dactylus elegans, and the incidence of that terfere with gas exchange for the fish. parasite was low in comparison to infected The leech, Piscicola sp., did not present a fish from La Verkin Creek. The most com- current problem to the fishing that di^ly one mon parasite found on the fish from La Ver- specimen was recovered. Leeches are period- kin Creek is G. elegans. This organism was on ic feeders and should not attach permanently the surface and occasionally in gill scrapings. to the host. The major problem with leeches

Large numbers of G. elegans can cause dam- on fish is due to large numbers on one host or age to the fish by physical blockage of the tlie transmitting by hemoflagellates (l:)lood gill surface, thus interfering with the gas ex- parasites) (Hoffman 1967). No blood parasites change area (Hoffman 1967). Other mon- were found during this survey. ogenetic trematodes, Octomacrum lanceatum None of the fish expired during the journey and Pellitcidhaptor alahamiis, and the pro- from their natural habitat, approximately 400 tozoan, Trichodina sp., are capable of causing km, to holding tanks. Thus, it is assumed that similar problems in the fish. These parasites the effects of all the parasites on the suckers were not foimd in great enough quantities to were not evident when the fish were placed pose a threat at the present time. The two under stress of capture and transportation. myxosporidans, Myxosonia sp. and Myxidium Limited host specificity is demonstrated by sp., are capable of encysting and destroying the parasites recovered in this survey. Most tissue. However, no cysts were found. Thus, of the parasites encountered have been re- it is assumed that these myxosporidans are ported in other species of fish (Hoffman causing little damage to the fish. 1967). Species of Myxidium, Myxosoma, The fact that no hemoflagellates were Trichodina, Cystidicola, and Piscicola have all found dining the course of this study does not been reported in trout. The parasitic species disprove their existence in these fish, because found in salmonids may be different than some of these parasites have seasonal fluctua- those found in the suckers. Gyrodactylus ele- tion. gans and P. minimum have also been report- Only one nematode, Cystidicola sp., was ed in salmonids. Octonuurum lanceatum has recovered from all fish examined in the sur- been reported in the catostomids, Catostomus vey. This round worm is not detrimental to teres, C. commersoni, C. macrocheilus, and the fish unless it is found in high numbers Erimyzon secetta, the cyprinids, Mylocheilus June 1980 Breinholt, Heckmann: Fish Pahasites 155

caurinus (peamouth), and Notropis corntitits The parasites that these two fish have in (common shiner). FclhicitUuiptor dldluiiniis common may be due to the ingestion of a has been reported in Ictiohus htihalus, the common intermediate host. Even though C. smalhnoiith buffalo (Chien and Rogers 1970). latipinnis is more selective in its feeding A/, The caryophyllid tapeworms. hunteri and habits, it still would ingest detritus and other

/. hcxncoti/lc, common to C. discobolis and C. material due to its feeding technique. Uitipinnis, have both been reported from oth- The parasites identified in this survey are er catostomids (Hoffman 1967). Because the not unexpected. Although no parasitic sur- parasites recovered in this study have been veys of C. discobolis and C. latipinnis have reported in other species of fish, it is possible been reported, Mi/xosorna sp., Myxidiian sp., that these parasites may infect game fish or Trichodina sp., G. elegans, O. lanceatum, P. fish. commerciallv cultured In the case of the alaJianius, P. mininiitm, C. marginatum, I. listed digenetic trematodes, infected birds Jiexacotyle, M. hunteri, Cystidicola sp., and can fly from one body of water to another Piscicola sp. have all been reported from and "seed" other streams and ponds. Also, suckers (Hoffman 1967). currents can carrv infected fish and other intermediate hosts downstream to contaminate the lower drainage system. Thus, potential Literature Cited infections of other fish in the same stream American Fisheries Society. 1974. Suggested procedures could threaten endangered species such as for the detection of certain infectious diseases of the woundfin and the Virgin River minnow fishes. U.S. Department of the Interior, Washing- spinedace, which are also found in La Verkin ton. D.C. Creek. Amin, O. M. 1969. Helminth fauna of suckers (Catosto- midae) of the Gila River system, Arizona. II. Five The identity of one of the hosts from La parasites from Ccito.'itomus spp. Amer. Midi. \at. Verkin Creek is doubtful. Originally, it was 82(2): 429-443. classified as a chiselmouth sucker (Sigler and 1974. Intestinal helminths of the white sucker, Miller 1963). Later studies considered this ca- Catostomus coninicrsoni (lacepede) in southeast Wisconsin. Proc. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. tostomid a desert sucker (C. clarki), which is 41(l):81-88. still a valid species (Bailey et al. 1970). Then, R. E. E. S. E. A. Bailey, M., J. Fitch, Herald, with the taxonomic revision of some of the Lachner, C. C Lindsey, C. R. Robins, and W. members of the catostomid family, Pan- B. Scott. 1970. .\ list of common and scientific tosteus delphinius, the bluehead sucker, and names of fishes from the United States and Clan- ada. .\merican Fisheries Society Special Pub- P. virescens, the green sucker, were combined lication No. 6. Washington, D.C. to form C. discobolis (Bailey et al. 1970). Af- Chien, S. M., and W. Rogers. 1970. Four new species ter this revision some investigators have con- of monogenetic trematodes. genus PelliicicUuiptor. Par- sidered the fish as C. discobolis. Because of ftoin fishes of the southeast United States. J. the anatomical similarities between C. dis- asitol. 56(3):480-485. Clifford, T. S., and S. Facciani. 1972. Philoinetra cobolis and C. clarki and the activities and nodulosu in Wvoming white suckers. Prog. Fi.sh- feeding habits, the ' two could be considered Cult. .34(4):23.5-2.36. similar. It may also be concluded that they D. L. De(;ivsti. 1971. Tn/pdnosoiiia ca- Daly, J. J., a.nd could harbor similar parasites even if they tosiomi n. sp. from the white sucker Cdtostoiiiiis cominersoni. Protozool. 18(.3):414-417. are two distinct species. J. Dechtiar, .\. O. 1969. Two new species of monogenetic Of the two suckers, C. latipinnis is more trematodes (Treniatoda: Monogcnca) from nasal selective in its feeding habits than is C. dis- cavities of catostomid fishes. J. Fish. Wvs. Board cobolis. Winget and Baumann (1977) report- Can. 26(4):86.5-869. ed stomach contents of the flannelmouth Eddy, S. 1969. The freshwater fishes. Win. C Brown C. Puhl., Dubuque, Iowa. sucker contained seeds, identifiable plant 1973. Gyro- IL\THAWAY, R. p., and J. C. Herlevich. matter, and dipteran larvae; of stomachs the dactyhis stahlcri sp. n. with new host and locality bluehead sucker detritus, Parasitol. contained uniden- records for species of Giircddiliihis. J. tifiable plant matter, and very few macroin- .59(2):801-802. Hayunga, E. C, and .\. Grey. 1976. Cystobracluis vertebrates. The difference in feeding habits J. meyeri sp. n. (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) from Ca- of these two fish is probably the reason for tostomtis commersoni Lacepede in North Ameri- the difference in resident parasite species. ca. Parasitol. 62(4):621-627. J. 156 Great Basin Naturalist Vol. 40, No. 2

Heckmann. R. a. 1976. Aquatic habitat evaluation of ScHELL, S. C. 1974. Two new genera and three new^ spe- the Fremont, Muddy, and Dirt\ Devil rivers and cies of allocreadiidae trematodes (Digenea; .\1- locreadiidae) freshwater fishes. Parasitol. Caine Springs and Pleasant Creek. Westinghouse from J. Corporation contract .\o. P. O. ESD- 151-76. 60(2):24.3-246. HoFFM.w. G. L. 1967. Parasites of North American Sigler, W. F., .a.\d R. R. Miller. 1963. Fishes of Utah. freshwater fishes. University of California Press, Utah State Department of Fish and Game. Salt Berkeley and Los .\ngeles. Lake City. httntcri sp. n. Mackiewicz, j. S. 1963. Monobothhum Threlfall, W., a.nd G. Hanek. 1970. Metazoan para- (Cestoidea: Carvoph\llaeidae) from Catustomus sites, excluding monogenea, from longnose and in commersoni (Lacepede) (Pisces: Catostomidae) white suckers. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. Parasitol. 49(.5):723-7.30. 27(7): 1317-1319. North America. J. 1972. Caryophvllidea (Cestoidea): \ review. Exp. N'oTH, D. R., .\ND O. R. Larson. 1968. Metazoan para- Parasitol. 31(3)':417-512. sites of some fi.shes from Goose River, North Da- MiLBRi.NK, G. 1975. Population biolog> of the cestode kota. Amer. Midi. Nat. 79(l):216-224. Canjophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas) in bream. Ahra- White. G. E. 1974. Parasites of the common white suck- mis brama (L.), and the feeding of fish on oligo- er (Catastomiis commersoni) from the Kentuckv cheates. Institute of Freshwater Research Report River drainage. Trans. Amer. .Micros. Soc. No. 54:36-51. 93(2):280-282. Olsen, O. W. 1974. .\nimal parasites: Their life cycles WiNGET, R. N., AND R. W. Bal'm.a.nn. 1977. Virgin River,

and ecologN . University Park Press, Baltimore. Utah-.\rizona-Nevada, aquatic habitat, fisheries,

R., R. .\. Heckm.\.xn. and R. S. Evans. 1976. and macroinvertebrate studies. Center for Health Palmieri, J. Life cvcle and incidence of Diplostomum spatho- and Environmental Studies, Brigham Young Uni- ceiim Rudolphi (1819) (Trematoda: Diplostoma- versitv, L'tah. tidae) in Utah. Great Basin Nat. 36(l):86-96. WiNGET, R. -M., A.ND .M. K. Reichert. 1976. .\quatic Pfliecer. W. L. 1975. The fishes of .Missouri. Missouri habitat inventory in the hot desert eis area, Utah. Department of Conservation. Jefferson City. U.S. Bur. Land Man., Contract No. YA-512-CT6- Price, C. E., .and H. P. .\r.\i. 1967. The monogenean 77. parasites of Canadian freshwater fishes. Canadian Zool. 45(6/2)123.5-1245. J.