Dan Schofield, UK
Info
Anilocra chromis is a parasitic isopod that specifically infests the reef wrasse Chromis multilineata (Guichenot, 1853) in the eastern Caribbean as an ectoparasite, biting onto its host and draining it of blood and other bodily fluids, often leading to the host’s death.
Juvenile and adult isopods have been observed on this reef wrasse.
In the area around the Bahamas and in parts of the western Caribbean, Azurina cyanea is infested by the parasite Anilocra chromis.
It is unclear why these two fish host species are infested in these two geographically separate regions, just as it is unclear why other reef snapper species are spared by the isopod.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dan Schofield of the UK and Luke Padon of the U.S. for the first two photos.
Juvenile and adult isopods have been observed on this reef wrasse.
In the area around the Bahamas and in parts of the western Caribbean, Azurina cyanea is infested by the parasite Anilocra chromis.
It is unclear why these two fish host species are infested in these two geographically separate regions, just as it is unclear why other reef snapper species are spared by the isopod.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dan Schofield of the UK and Luke Padon of the U.S. for the first two photos.
