Animal Parasites and MessmatesBeneden, P. J. van (Pierre Joseph)
Science
Animal Parasites and Messmates
Beneden, P. J. van (Pierre Joseph)
Parasites
Among these crustaceans, we must mention the _Caligi_ and the
_Arguli_, which never become bloated, the _Ancei_, and probably other
genera. Instead of the ungainly and unusual forms of true parasites,
they all preserve, together with their fishing tackle and locomotive
apparatus, their neat and elegant appearance. The sexes even differ
only in size. They remain during the whole of their life what they are
at the beginning; that is to say, charming in form, with a
delicately-shaped corselet, numerous and slender claws, and are as
graceful in their movements as when in a state of rest. The greater
number of osseous fishes lodge Caligi on the surface of their skin.
These fix themselves by means of strong cables, but without
sacrificing their liberty. They are usually called fish lice.
Fishermen, when returning from the northern fishery, generally find
their vivarium full of these graceful vermin. It may be said that 73
the caligi are common everywhere, and that each species has its own
caligi. The fishes of the family Plagiostoma, notwithstanding the
hardness of their skin, afford food to some of these; they multiply so
rapidly sometimes, that they cover their host as though they took the
place of scales. The cod gives lodging to a charming species of a very
beautiful shape, which in its turn, affords a resting-place to the
Udonella. It is always attached to the ovisacs, and doubtless plays
the same part as the Histriobdellæ, so that we shall find the Caligi
attending to the toilet of the cod, and the Udonellæ in their turn
waiting on the Caligi.
[Illustration: Of the natural size.]
[Illustration: _Caligulus elegans_ (fem.)]
The name Arguli has been given to some crustaceans which resemble the
caligi in size and in manner of life, and which principally frequent
fresh-water fishes. The _Argulus foliaceus_ is the name of the
species which has been known for the longest time, and which is most
extensively found. It is to be seen on our pikes, carps, sticklebacks, 74
and on the greater part of our river fish. Mr. Thorell, in his
monograph, mentions twelve species of Arguli proper, and four species
of which he composed the genus _Gyropeltis_. Four are found in Europe,
two of which are on salt-water, and two on fresh-water fish.
Quite recently, Professor Leydig has made known another species living
on the _Phoxinus levis_. Arguli are met with on the fishes of Africa,
the Indies, and North and South America. Like the caligi, these
animals spontaneously abandon one host, to go and attend to the toilet
of another.
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