| This study compares the prevalence and abundance of the isopod Edotia doellojuradoi in the mussel Mytilus edulis, between water column rope farming systems and nearby natural benthic beds at Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda (43° 46' S, 72° 57' W), Aysén, Chile, taking into account the maximum shell length of the host as a covariate. In addition, the damage caused by E. doellojuradoi was assessed with the visual inspection of the gills, according to the protocol of Zaixso et al. (2009). The isopod was found almost exclusively in natural benthic habitats, where the prevalence increased with the length of the host. The isopod is a macroparasite and not a commensal as previously suggested because it causes gill damage to the mussel, which increased with the... |
