Occurrence of Compsopogon coeruleus (red alga) on Lernaea (Copepoda) from Fishes in the Obion Creek Drainage, Hickman County, Kentucky

Abstract

ABSTRACT The epizoic occurrence of Compsopogon coeruleus (red alga) on Lernaea (Copepoda) has been only reported once in North America. This occurrence was observed from five minnow species parasitized by Lernaea at Mud River, Butler County, Kentucky. We report a second occurrence of this phenomenon from one blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) and one ribbon shiner (Lythrurus fumeus) from the Obion Creek Drainage in Hickman County, Kentucky. An infestation of Lernaea is harmful and potentially fatal to fish; however, it is unknown if C. coeruleus is harmful to either Lernaea or fish.