Neascus pyriformis
Camp J. 2009. Neascus pyriformis. Purdue University, West Lafeyette, IN
Overview of a fish parasite found in GRSM. These larval trematode parasites are found encysted in the dermis and musculature of freshwater fishes. All known species in this genus belong to the family Diplostomatidae. The genus name ”Neascus” is also used as the common name “neascus.” The adult parasites in this group have not been identified in all cases. In species where the adults have been identified, they develop within the intestine of piscivorous birds. For example, N. pyriformis may represent the larval form of the adult genus Uvulifer semicircumcisus a parasite of kingfishers. However, this has not been verified experimentally or through dissection of kingfishers in the current study. These parasites have been found in fishes throughout the world. The metacercarial cysts are surrounded by a black host cyst. Fish parasitized in this way may have numerous “blackspots” visible that often make the fish unappetizing to humans. Blackspot disease in fish gets its name from these cysts. Although unappetizing in appearance thorough cooking of the flesh will kill the larval parasites. Even eating raw fish infected with blackspot disease should not be a problem as the parasites cannot develop in the human digestive tract. However, eating raw fish is not a recommended practice because in some fishes found in other parts of the world, parasites that can live in humans can be ingested by eating raw fish.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Camp, Joe
- Date of Issue
- 2009
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Abrams Creek, All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, ATBI, Blacknose Dace, Campostoma anomalum, Diplostomatidae, fish parasites, Little River, longnose dace, luxilus coccogenis, Micropterus dolomieu, Neascus pyriformis, Nocomis micropogon, Notropis leuciodus, Rhinichthys Atratulus, Rhinichthys cataractae, river chub, Smallmouth bass, stoneroller, Tennessee shiner, trematode, warpaint shiner, West Prong Little River
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes