WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH SERIES • 13050 ELDO2/72
FRESHWATER
ECOSYSTEMS
Identification
Manual
THE
GENUS ARGULUS
(CRUSTACEA: BRANCHIURA)
OF THE
UNITED STATES
U,5, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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Biota of Freshwater Ecosystems
Identification Manual No. 2
THE GENUS ARGULUS (CRUSTACEA:BRANCHIURA) OF THE UNITED STATES
by
Roger F. Cressey
Smithsonian Institution
Washington D.C. 20560
for the
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Project # 18050 ELD
Contract # 14-12-894
February 1972
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $2.50
Stock Number 5501-0366
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11
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' FOREWORD
"The genus Argulus (Crustacea:Branchiura) of the United
States" is the second of a series of identification manuals
for selected taxa of invertebrates occurring in freshwater
systems. These documents prepared by the Oceanography and
Limnology Program, Smithsonian Institution, for the Environ-
mental Protection Agency will contribute toward improving
the quality of the data upon which environmental decisions
are based.
Additional amnuals will include, but not necessarily be limit-
ed to, freshwater representatives of the following groups:
amphipod crustaceans (Gammaridae), isopod crustaceans (Aselli-
dae), decapod crayfish crustaceans (Astacidae), leeches
(Hirudinea), polychaete worms (Polychaeta), freshwater plan-
arians (Turbellaria), aquatic dryopoid beetles (DryopoideaJ
and freshwater clams (Sphaeriacea).
111
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ABSTRACT
Twenty three species of Argulus are recognised
as valid from the 37 reported from the United
States. An illustrated key is provided to
these species. Distribution and host records
are also included.
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CONTENTS
Section Pa£e
I Introduction 1
Collecting, Preservation and Identification 2
II Species List with Distribution and Hosts 3
III Key to the United States species of Apgulus 5
IV References 11
V Index of Scientific Names 13
vn
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FIGURES
Page
1 Respiratory areas of eatostonrij nobiliSj st-izostethi,, 5
alosae} biaolor, and megalops
2 Mouth tubes of borealiSj megalpoSj fuseus and japonicus 5
3 Illustrations of characters used in the identification 6
of Argulus
4 Antennal area of borealiSj latieauddj lepidostei, 7
maeulosus and alosae
5 Sclerotized sucker rods of meehccni.3 melanost-Lchuss 8
pugettens-is} japon-ious, maculosus, versicolor,
appendioulosus, diversus and nobilis
6 Basal plates of second maxillae of flavesoens, 9
lepidostei, meehani-, ohesapedkens'Ls3 tattoauda3
funduli, catostomi, fusous and floridens-is
Vlll
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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
Thirty seven species of Argulus have been described or reported from
the United States since the description of A. aatostomi by Dana and
Herrick in 1837. Of the 6 genera of Branchiura which have been
described from various parts of the world, the genus Argulus is the
only one so far recorded from the United States. In the preparation
of this key the present author examined 279 collections including
type specimens of 31 species contained in the collections of the Smith-
sonian Institution. In addition to this material 56 collections
solicited from various freshwater and marine biologists in the U. S.
were examined. These collections and the donors will be acknowledged
in a forthcoming monograph of the genus. The type specimen of
A. funduli- was sent to me by Dr. T. Wolff of the Copenhagen Museum.
From the examination of this material I was able to reduce the number
of valid species to 23. A number of species had been placed in synonomy
by Meehan in 1940 but Wilson resurrected 8 of these in 1944. It is my
opinion that Meehan's earlier opinions regarding these synonomys were
correct.
Both Meehan (1940) and Wilson (1944) published a key to the genus.
They contain, however, a number of species not found in the United
States.
The key presented herein is applicable to either sex. The key has been
constructed for use by non-specialists. Other characters than those
chosen could be used as well but these might require a more intimate
knowledge of this group of parasites.
Several species included in this key have been reported only from the
coastal environment. I feel confident that collections made in the
freshwater drainages of these coastal areas would produce the same
species and hence I have included them. Argulus ftaoesoens3 for ex-
ample, has been collected from the Mississippi River as far north as
Iowa and is common to the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico as well.
Discussions of life history and effects of the parasite on the host are
beyond the scope of this paper. These aspects will be considered else-
where .
Illustrations with labeled, taxonomically important structures are
provided in lieu of a glossary.
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COLLECTING, PRESERVATION AND IDENTIFICATION
Because individuals of Argulus are "loosely" associated with their
hosts collection depends on rapid examination of captured fish.
Individuals may be found anywhere on the body surface of the host and
in the mouth and gill chamber. Furthermore, they are commonly found
in freshwater and coastal plankton samples.
Material can be initially preserved in 70 percent ethyl alcohol or
10 percent formalin. Material preserved in formalin should be
transferred to alcohol within a few weeks and material should remain
in 70 percent alcohol for long term storage.
For microscopic examination specimens can be temporarily mounted in
lactic acid. This clears the specimen sufficient for examination of
appendages. Material should be examined in alcohol prior to clearing
as the respiratory areas often show up better under reflected rather
than transmitted light. If the respiratory areas are obscured by the
legs it may be necessary to remove one side of the carapace and mount
it ventral side up in lactic acid. Dilute chlorozol black can be used
as a last resort to stain the borders of the respiratory areas if
other methods fail. Once cleared no further dissection is necessary
in order to see the characters (Fig. 3) cited in this key-
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SECTION II
SPECIES LIST WITH DISTRIBUTION AND HOSTS
Argulus alosae Gould, 1841. Distribution: east coast of U. S. from
Maine to Texas. Hosts: Alosa3 Clupea3 Dorosoma3 Tautogolabrus
Lepisosteus3 Opsanus3 Cynoso-ion,
Argulus appendioulosus Wilson, 1907. Distribution: Vermont, Michigan,
Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota. Hosts:
Stizostedlon3 Iotalurus3 Mioropterus, Ictiobus3 Catostomus,
Dorosoma.
Argulus bioolor Bere, 1936. Distribution: southeast coast of U. S.
from North Carolina to Louisiana. Hosts: Strongylura, Morone3
Gob-ionellus 3 M-ioropogon, Scomboromorus3 Dorosoma, Khinoptera.
Argulus borealis Wilson, 1912. Distribution: northwest coast of U. S.
Hosts: Lepidopsetta, Cymatogaster.
Argulus oatostomi Dana and Herrick, 1837. Distribution: northeast
U. S. from Minnesota to Vermont and south as far as Maryland.
Host: Catostomus3 cyprinids.
Argulus ohesapeakensis Cressey, 1971. Distribution: central east
coast of U. S. from Maryland to North Carolina. Hosts: Opsanus,
Anguilla3 Raehycentron3 Paralichthys.
Argulus diversus Wilson, 1944. Distribution: Indiana. Host:
Ameri-urus.
Argulus flaoesoens Wilson, 1916. Distribution: southeastern U.S. -
Mississippi River System and Coastal Gulf of Mexico. Hosts:
Amia3 Mioropterus3 Mi.cropogon3 Paraliohthys3 Mugil3 Dasyatis.
Argulus floridensis Meehan, 1940. Distribution: gulf coast of U. S.
Host: Mugi-l.
Argulus funduli Kroyer, 1863. Distribution: east coast of U. S. from
Maine to Mississippi. Hosts: Fundulus, Lagodon, Chaetodon.
Argulus fuscus Bere, 1936. Distribution: gulf coast of U. S. Hosts:
OrthopristiSj Traehinotus.
Argulus japonious Thiele, 1900. Distribution: entire U. S. Host:
goldfish {Corassi-us) .
Argulus latioauda Smith, 1873. Distribution: northeast coast of U. S.
Hosts: Opsanus3 Prionotus3 Pseudopleuron^otes3 Anguilla, Conger:
"Sculpin".
Argulus lepi-doste-i Kellicott, 1877. Distribution: Mississippi River
System and Gulf coast of Florida. Host: Lepisosteus.
Argulus maaulosus Wilson, 1902. Distribution: Michigan, Indiana,
Missouri, Iowa, Louisiana, New York. Hosts: Amia3 Esox, Umbra.
Argulus mee'hani Cressey, 1971. Distribution: Florida. Host:
Lepisosteus.
Argulus megalops Smith, 1873. Distribution: east coast of U. S. from
Mass, to Florida. Hosts: Chilomyoterus3 Ogeoaephalus3 Synodus3
Prionotus3 Tautoga, Aleutera, Lophius, Paraliohthys, M-iorogadus,
Raia.
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Argulus melanostichus Wilson, 1935. Distribution: California.
Host: unknown.
Argulus mississ-ipp-iensis Wilson 1916. Distribution: Iowa.
Host: Lepisosteus.
Argulus nobilis Thiele, 1904. Distribution: Mississippi, Texas.
Host: Lepisosteus.
Argulus pugettensis Dana, 1853. Distribution: northern west coast
of U. S. Hosts: Salmo, Ernbiotooa, Amphistichus.
Argulus stizostethi Kellicott, 1880. Distribution: northeast U. S
from Minnesota to Maine. Hosts: Ace-ipenser3 Alosa, Esox3
NotroptSj Salvelinus3 GasterosteuSj Coregonus.
Argulus versicolor Wilson, 1902. Distribution: eastern U. S. from
Mass, to Texas. Hosts: Esox, Amblophites, "perch".
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SECTION III
KEY TO THE UNITED STATES SPECIES OF ARGULUS
Smaller respiratory area entirely anterior to larger area
(Figs ID , E , and F) 2
Smaller respiratory area in part or entirely lateral to
larger area (Figs 1A, B, and C) v. 14
B
C
Fig. 1. Respiratory areas: A - catostomi", B - nobil-is;
C - st-Lzostethi; D - alosae; E - bicolov; F - megalops
2 (1) Mouth tube with spinels or scales on basal half....
Mouth tube without spines or scales on basal half.
3
9
D
Fig. 2. Mouth tubes: A
D - japonicus.
- borealis; B - megalops; C - fuscus;
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FIRST ANTENNA (Ai)
SECOND ANTENNA (A2>
SUCKER
MOUTH TUBE
SECOND MAXILLA (MX2)
ACCESSORY SPINE OF MX2
BASAL PLATE
RESPIRATORY AREAS
THORACIC LEG
NATATORY LOBE
ABDOMEN
A
A! TERMINAL SPINE
Aj ANTERIOR "
A, MEDIAL ii
A, POSTERIOR
B
-POSTANTENNAL SPINE
Fig. 3. A - Argulus appendiculosus, female with ventral struc-
tures labeled; B Argulus borealis, female antennal area
labeled.
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3 (2) Accessory spine present near base of second maxilla (Fig. 3A)..4
Accessory spine absent from near base of second
maxilla,...,..,..,... funduli Kroyer
4 (3) More than 12 elements in sclerotized sucker rods .5
Less than 12 elements in sclerotized sucker rods 6
5 (4) Outermost spine of basal plate represented by
sclerotized ridge (Fig. 6H) fusous Bere
All three spines of basal plate well-
developed flopidens-is Meehan
6 (4) Scales present on mouth tube (Fig. 2B); posterior respiratory
area with scalloped edge (Fig. IF) megalops Smith
Spines present on mouth tube (Figs 2A, C ) 7
7 (6) Antennal spines fingerlike (Figs 4A, C); 4-5 spines
on base of mouth tube (Fig. 2A) borealis Wilson
Antennal spines stout (Figs 4B, E) ', cluster of
several spines on mouth tube (Fig. 2C) 8
Fig. 4. Antennal area.
A- borealis; B- lat-ioauda;
C- lep-idoste-i; D- maoulosus;
E- alosae.
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8 (7) Posterior respiratory area bent toward mid-line in
posterior half (Fig. IE) bioolor Bere
Posterior respiratory area not bent toward mid-
line in posterior half (Fig- ID) alosae Gould
9 (2) More than 10 elements in sclerotized sucker rods 10
Less than 10 elements in sclerotized sucker rods 11
10 (9) More than 17 elements in sucker rods
(Fig. 5B) melanostiohus Wilson
Less than 17 elements in sucker rods
(Fig. sc) pugettens-is Dana
11 (9) More than 5 elements in sucker rods (Fig. 5D).. japonieus Thiele
Less than 5 elements in sucker rods 12
A
B
C
I
Fig. 5. Sclerotized sucker rods. A- meehani; B - melanost-iahus;
C - pugettensia; D - joponieus; E - n.aoulosus; F - versi-oolor;
G - appendioulosus; H - diversus; I - nobilis.
12 (11) Antennal spines spatulate (Fig. 4B); spines on
basal plate with cusps (Fig. 6E) latioauda Smith
Antennal spines not spatulate 13
13 (12) First antennal posterior spine fingerlike; spines on
basal plate longer than wide (Fig. 6A) flavesaens Wilson
First antennal posterior spine blunt; spines on basal
plate usually as wide as long (Fig. 6V)ehesapeakens-i8 Cressey
14 (1 ) Postantennal spine double (Fig. 4D) 15
Postantennal spine single 17
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15 (14) Two or three elements in sucker rods (Fig. 5E~)maaulosus Wilson
More than three elements in sucker rods 16
16 (15) Basal element in sucker rod bell-shaped (Fig. 5H)
„ diversus Wilson
Basal element in sucker rod not expanded at
base (Fig. 5F),., versi-oolov Wilson
17 (14) Anteriormost respiratory area with posterior part
extending along outer edge of posterior respiratory area
(Fig. 1C); mouth tube with patch of spines at base
stizostethi Kellicott
Smaller respiratory area entirely within inner lateral
margin of larger area (Figs 1A, B); no spines or scales
at base of mouth tube 18
18 (17) Outermost spine of basal plate at least twice as wide as
either of the other two (Fig. 6G)..oatostomi Dana § Herrick
All three spiries of basal plate of about equal width 19
i A
B
E
G
Fig. 6. Basal plates of second maxillae. A - flavescens;
B - 1ep'ldo&'be^i'f C- meefomi; D - ckeaapeakensis; E - laiid'auda;
F - fUnduli; G - catostomi; H- fusous.
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19 (18) Posterior first antennal spine present. .m-ississi-pp-iensis Wilson
Posterior first antennal spine absent 20
20 (19) Sucker rods of two elements, distal element considerably
longer than proximal (Fig. 5G) appendi-culosus Wilson
Sucker rods of more than two elements 21
21 (20) Basal plate with scales and few setae on surface'
(Fig. 6 ) lepidostei Kellicott
Basal plate with few setae only (Fig. 6C) 22
22 (21) Sucker rods composed of more than 10 elements (Fig. 51)....
nob'll'is Thiele
Sucker rods composed of less than 10 elements (Fig. 5A)....
meehan-L Cressey
10
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SECTION IV
REFERENCES
Bere, Ruby. 1936. Parasitic copepods from Gulf of Mexico fish.
American Midland Naturalist, 17 (3): 577-625.
Cressey; Roger F. 1971. Two new argulids (Crustacea:Branchiura)
from the Eastern United States. Proceedings of the Biological
Society of Washington, 84 (31): 253-258.
Meehan, 0. Lloyd. 1940. A review of the parasitic Crustacea of the
genus Argulus in the collections of the United States National
Museum. Proceedings of the United States National Museum,
88 (3087): 459-522.
Wilson, Charles B. 1944. Parasitic copepods in the United States
National Museum. Proceedings of the United States National
Museum, 94 (3177): 529-582.
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SECTION V
INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES
Aoa-ipenser , 4
Aleutera, 3
Alosa, 3,4
alosae (Argulus), 3,5,7,8
Amblophites , 4
Amer-iurus , 3
Amia, 3
Amphistiahus , 4
Angu-illa, 3
appendioulosus (Argulus), 3,6,8,10
Argulus, 1,2
- alosae, 3,5,7,8
- appendiaulosus , 3,6,8,10
, 3,5,8
oatostom-i, 1,5,9
ohesapeakensis , 3,8,9
d-iversus , 3,8,9
flavesaens , 1 , 8 , 9
flor-idensis , 3,7,9
funduli , 1,7,9
fusous , 3,5,7,9
japon-ious , 3,5,8
lat'ioauda , 3,7,8,9
lepidostei, 3,7,9,10
maoulosus , 3,7,8,9
meehani , 3,8,9,10
megalopSj 3,5,7
melanostiohus , 4,8
m-iss-iss'ipp'iens'is , 4,10
nobi-lis , 4,5,8,10
pugettens'Ls , 4,8
vevsicolor, 4,8,9
(ATgulus) > 3,5,8
l>oTea1is (ATulus) . 3,5,6,7
Carassius , 3
eatostomi , (ATgulus) , 1 > 5 , 9
Catostomus , 3
Chaetodon, 3
chesapeakens-ls (Argulus) , 3,8,9
Ch-ilomycterus , 3
Clupea, 3
Conger , 3
Coregonus , 4
Cymatogastev, 3
Cynosci-on, 3
eyprinids, 3
Dasyatis, 3
diversus (Argulus), 3,8,9
DoTosoma, 3
Embiotoca, 4
ffeoar, 3,4
flaveseens (Avgulus), 1,8,9
floT-Ldens-is (Argulus), 3,7,9
funduli. (Argulus) , 1,7,9
Fundulus, 3
fusous (Argulus), 3,5,7,9
Gasterosteus, 4
Gobionellus, 3
goldfish, 3
lotalurus, 3
Ictio'bus, 3
japoniaus (Argulus), 3,5,8
Lagodon, 3
lat'ioauda (Argulus) , 3,7,8,9
Lep-idopsetta, 3
lep-idoste-i (Argulus), 3,7,9,10
Lepidosteus, 3,4
Lophius, 3
maaulosus (Argulus), 3,7,8,9
meehani, (Argulus), 3,8,9,10
megalops (Argulus), 3,5,7
melanost-iohus (Argulus), 4,8
Miorogadus, 3
M-ieropogon, 3
M-iaropterus, 3
m-ississippiensis (Argulus), 4,10
Morone, 3
Mugil, 3
nob-ilis (Argulus), 4,5,8,10
Notropis, 4
Ogoooephalus, 3
Opsanus, 3
Orthopristis, 3
Paralichthys, 3
perch, 4
Pr-ionotus, 3
Pseudopleuronectes, 3
pugettensis (Argulus), 4,8
Rachycentron, 3
13
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Raia, 3
Rhinoptera, 3
Salmo, 4
Salvelinus, 4
Saomboromo'Pus, 3
sculpin, 3
Stizostedion, 3
stizostethi (Argulus), 4,5,9
Strongylura, 3
Synodus, 3
Tautoga, 3
Tautoglabrus, 3
Traehinotus, 3
Umbra, 3
(Argulus), 4,8,9
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SELECTED WATER
RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
1. Report No.
3. Accession No.
w
4. Title Biota of Freshwater Ecosystems Identification
Manual No. 2 THE GENUS Argulus (CRUSTACEA:BRANCHIURA) OF
THE UNITED STATES,
7. Author(s)
Cressey, R. F.
9. Organization
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D. C.
12. Sponsoring Organization
15. Supplementary Notes
5. Report Date
6.
5. Performing Organization
Report No.
10. Project No.
18050 ELD
. Contract/Grant No.
14-12-894
13. Type of Report and
Period Covered
16. Abstract
Twenty three species of Argulus are recognised as valid from the 37 reported
from the United States. An illustrated key is provided to these species.
Distribution and host records are also included.
17a. Descriptors
*Aquatic fauna, *United States, *Fish parasite, Distribution.
17b. Identifiers
identification manual, *Illustrated key, *Freshwater Branchiura,
*Crustacea,
17c. COWRR Field & Group
18. Availability
19. Security Class.
(Report)
20. Security Class.
(Page)
Abstractor ROger p. Cressey
21. No. of
Pages
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