Salmon louse labial gland enzymes: implications for host settlement and immune modulation.

Salmon louse () is a skin- and blood-feeding ectoparasite, infesting salmonids. While feeding, labial gland proteins from the salmon louse may be deposited on the Atlantic salmon () skin. Previously characterized labial gland proteins are involved in anti-coagulation and may contribute to inhibiting Atlantic salmon from mounting a sufficient immune response against the ectoparasite.

Small, charged proteins in salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) secretions modulate Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) immune responses and coagulation.

Little is known about glandular proteins secreted from the skin- and blood-feeding ectoparasite salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). The labial gland has ducts extending into the oral cavity of the lice, and the present study aimed to identify novel genes expressed by this gland type and to investigate their role in modulation of host parameters at the lice feeding site. Five genes associated with labial gland function were identified and named Lepeophteirus salmonis labial gland protein (LsLGP) 1-4 and 1 like (LsLGP1L).

The potential for cleaner fish-driven evolution in the salmon louse : Genetic or environmental control of pigmentation?

The parasitic salmon louse represents one of the biggest challenges to environmentally sustainable salmonid aquaculture across the globe. This species also displays a high evolutionary potential, as demonstrated by its rapid development of resistance to delousing chemicals. In response, farms now use a range of non-chemical delousing methods, including cleaner fish that eat lice from salmon.

Salmon louse rhabdoviruses: Impact on louse development and transcription of selected Atlantic salmon immune genes.

Recently, it has been shown that the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is commonly infected by one or two vertically transmitted Lepeophtheirus salmonis rhabdoviruses (LsRVs). As shown in the present study, the viruses have limited effect on louse survival, developmental rate and fecundity. Since the LsRVs were confirmed to be present in the louse salivary glands, the salmon cutaneous immune response towards LsRV positive and negative lice was analyzed.

RNAi-mediated treatment of two vertically transmitted rhabdovirus infecting the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis).

Rhabdoviruses are a family of enveloped negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses infecting a variety of hosts. Recently, two vertically transmitted salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) rhabdoviruses (LsRV) have been identified. The prevalence of these viruses was measured along the Norwegian coast and found to be close to 100%, and with the present lack of suitable cell lines to propagate these viruses, it is challenging to obtain material to study their host impact and infection routes.

Exocrine glands of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae): Distribution, developmental appearance, and site of secretion.

Exocrine glands of blood-feeding parasitic copepods are believed to be important in host immune response modulation and inhibition of host blood coagulation, but also in the production of substances for integument lubrication and antifouling. In this study, we aimed to characterize the distribution of different types of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) exocrine glands and their site of secretion. The developmental appearance of each gland type was mapped and genes specifically expressed by glands were identified.

Instar growth and molt increments in Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) chalimus larvae.

The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is an ectoparasitic copepod causing severe problems to the fish farming industry and to wild salmonids. Morphologically, all stages in the life cycle of L. salmonis have been described in detail based on successive samples from host populations.

The Salmon Louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) life cycle has only two Chalimus stages.

Each year the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirussalmonis Krøyer, 1838) causes multi-million dollar commercial losses to the salmon farming industry world-wide, and strict lice control regimes have been put in place to reduce the release of salmon louse larvae from aquaculture facilities into the environment. For half a century, the Lepeophtheirus life cycle has been regarded as the only copepod life cycle including 8 post-nauplius instars as confirmed in four different species, including L. salmonis.

Individual fish tank arrays in studies of Lepeophtheirus salmonis and lice loss variability.

In studies of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837), experimental design is complicated by a highly variable and unpredictable lice loss among common experimental tanks and a substantial rate of host transfer within tanks. When fish hosting L. salmonis are maintained in individual tanks, unspecific effects such as host transfer, louse predation by cohabitant hosts and agonistic host interactions are excluded.

Establishment and characterisation of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer 1837)) laboratory strains.

The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer 1837)) is an ectoparasitic copepod which represents a major pathogen of wild and farmed salmonid fishes in the marine environment. In order to facilitate research on this ecologically and economically important parasite, a hatchery and culturing system permitting the closure of the life-cycle of L. salmonis in the laboratory was developed.

Functional characterisation of the maternal yolk-associated protein (LsYAP) utilising systemic RNA interference in the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) (Crustacea: Copepoda).

The salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is an important pathogen in salmon aquaculture and a serious threat to wild populations of salmon. Knowledge of its basic biological processes such as reproduction is crucial for the control of this parasite and can facilitate development of a vaccine. Here, a novel yolk-associated protein, LsYAP, was characterised.

Molecular characterization and classification of a clip domain containing peptidase from the ectoparasite Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda, Crustacea).

Clip domain containing serine peptidases (CSPs) include one or more N-terminal clip domain(s) and a C-terminal serine peptidase domain that shares traits with both chymotrypsin and trypsin. CSPs are found in arthropods and are involved in embryonic patterning, immune responses and blood clotting. Among crustaceans only one CSP, which activates prophenoloxidase in crayfish, have previously been reported.