Parasitation of the European marine gobies (Gobiidae, Perciformes) by metazoan parasites

Gobiidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) is one of the most species-rich families of teleost fishes, comprising over 1,700 species currently recognized. They inhabit marine waters worldwide, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, but also brackish and freshwater habitats. Mostly, they live inconspicuously on the bottom. They are usually small-sized, so they are suitable intermediate hosts in the transfer of parasites to larger fishes, or to birds and mammals. The main metazoan groups of parasites of gobies are Myxozoa, Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala and Crustacea. Their life cycles and the known impact of parasites on fish physiology, fitness, behaviour and mortality are described. Additional effects on goby hosts such as the effect on reproduction and the effect on a female mate choice are mentioned, as well. The immunity response of fish to parasitation is briefly discussed. Finally, some special cases like parasitism in brackish and eutrophicated waters, and a difference in parasitation of gobies in protected and unprotected areas are discussed. Published works about parasitation of European marine gobies are scattered and usually are focussed on a single parasite species or group. The effects of a parasite on a goby are rarely described. Only some parts of..