Hutson, Kate, Brazenor, Alexander, Vaughan, David, and Trujillo Gonzalez, Alejandro (2018) Monogenean parasite cultures: current techniques and recent advances. In: Rollinson, D., and Stothard, J.R., (eds.) Advances in Parasitology. Advances in Parasitology, 99 . Elsevier, London, UK, pp. 61-91.

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Abstract

Global expansion in fish production and trade of aquatic ornamental species requires advances in aquatic animal health management. Aquatic parasite cultures permit diverse research opportunities to understand parasite-host dynamics and are essential to validate the efficacy of treatments that could reduce infections in captive populations. Monogeneans are important pathogenic parasites of captured captive fishes and exhibit a single host life cycle, which makes them amenable to in vivo culture. Continuous cultures of oviparous monogenean parasites provide a valuable resource of eggs, oncomiracidia (larvae) and adult parasites for use in varied ecological and applied scientific research. This review critically examines methods to establish and maintain in vivo monogenean monocultures on finfish, elasmobranchs and amphibians. Three separate approaches to establish cultures are scrutinised including the collection of live infected hosts, co-habiting recipient hosts with infected stock and co-habiting hosts with parasite eggs or oncomiracidia (larvae). We present new methods to establish cultures through the direct transfer of live adult parasites onto new fish hosts. Specific parasite species’ biology and behaviour permits predictive collection of parasite life stages to effectively maintain a continuous culture, while environmental parameters can be altered to manipulate parasite generation time. Parasite virulence and biosecurity are vital components of a well-managed culture to ensure appropriate animal welfare and uncontaminated surrounding environments. Contemporary approaches and techniques are reviewed to ensure optimised monogenean cultures, which ultimately can be used to identify mechanisms to limit infestations in public aquaria, ornamental trade and intensive aquaculture.

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