Comparative Distribution of Protozoan Epibionts on Mysis Relicta Lovén, 1869 (mysidacea) from Three Lakes in Northern Europe.

Specimens of Mysis relicta from three lakes in northern Europe had protozoan epibionts belonging to three genera of ciliates: Vorticella, Dendrosoma, and Tokophrya. The epibionts were present on a large part of the mysid's surface: antennulae, antennae, eyes, mandibulae, maxillulae, maxillae, pereiopods, pleopods, uropods, telson, carapace, and abdomen. The density of epibionts on each anatomical unit was measured, and these densities were compared in mysids from different geographical areas. The number of epibionts per individual mysid fluctuated between 1 and 1,587. The mean number of epibionts on each anatomical unit was 22.62. Antennae, pereiopods, and carapace were the areas with the highest densities of epibionts. The degree of colonization on the various anatomical units varied among the geographical sites monitored. Statistical analysis performed using data of epibiont densities on all colonized regions of the mysids showed that there was a significant difference in epibiosis among mysids from different geographical areas. In addition, epibiotic relationships at each geographical site were calculated with respect to the morphology and sex of the basibionts, and with respect to the differential presence of the epibionts on the anatomical areas of the mysids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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