Metazoa and Related Diseases

Abstract

Cephalopods and their metazoan parasites have coevolved in wild fisheries for many years. In fact, helminth larvae and parasitic copepods have been recorded in cephalopods worldwide. This is not surprising considering the important role cephalopods play in the transfer of energy and contaminants in marine food webs. Nerito-oceanic ommastrephid squids are by far the most noticeable trophic bridge for helminth parasites in the marine realm, coastal octopus, and cuttlefish serving as primary host for crustaceans. Although it is highly likely that parasitic infections occurred, relatively little is known about the pathogenic potential of metazoan parasites in naturally infected cephalopods. It is stated that heavy parasitic infections may probably cause host morbidity or poor condition but signs of disease are singularly rare with very few specimens exhibiting disease conditions. Unfortunately, neither robust scientific evidence nor available material is available to support this statement. It is more likely that metazoans may deplete energy stores of infected cephalopods, which are directed toward tissue repair and the host’s defense mechanisms. Parasitic infection may thus be considered an environmental stressor and as such a source of uncertainty in the evaluation of the potential productivity of cephalopod populations