Seasonal infection dynamic of tetraphyllidean cestodes in the ommastrephid squids from Galician waters

The seasonal dynamic of cestode tetraphyllidean infection by the genus Phyllobothrium on the short-finned squids Illex coindetii and Todaropsis eblanae from fishing grounds off Galicia is described. Seasonal changes in parasite infrapopulation counts were evident in northern and southern fishing areas but varying depending on host source. In any case highest infection values were found in late winter at the time of large mature squids, whereas lowest (and even no parasite recruitment to the host populations) infection values were found in the summertime. This corresponding with abundant hatchings and paralarvae supported by peaks in upwelling and blooms in available food related to the upwelled Eastern North-Atlantic Central Water (ENACW).