Studies on the biology of parasitic copepoda; Caligus minimus, otto,1821 on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, l.1758)

Jury : Prof. Dr. İbrahim CENGİZLERAssoc.Prof.Dr Mahmut Ali GÖKÇEAssoc.Prof.Dr.. Mustafa DÖRÜCÜAssoc.Prof.Dr. Ercüment GENÇAsst.Prof.Dr. Aysel ŞAHANIn this study; reproductive system, planktonic life stages, effects of; temperature,salinity, non-aeration and aeration and light versus dark conditions on developing stages ofCaligus minimus, Otto, 1821 on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.,1758) were investigated.The results showed that the reproductive system of female C. minimus consists of apair ovaries located on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax, oviducts, cement glands, asingle rectangle receptaculum seminis where the sperms are stored and a pair of egg sacswhere the fertilized eggs are extruded. The male reproductive system consists of a pair oftestes located on the dorsal of the cephalothorax, vasa deferentia, cement glands,spermatophore sacs and gonophores.Planktonic life stages were Nauplii I-II and a Copepodid stage. The effects ofdifferent temperatures and salinities on duration times of each stage were statisticallysignificant during the planktonic stages (p<0.05).Non-aeration conditions caused to death. Differences between the duration times inlight versus dark conditions were also found significant (t-test, paired comparisons, p< 0.05).A small but significant prolonged times between each stage were recorded in darkness.Key Words: Caligus minimus, Seabass, Caligidae, Biology, Reproduction, CopepodII