Parasites in the Skeletal Muscle of Amberjacks Seriola spp. in Japan: A Review

Abstract

Amberjacks of the genus Seriola (Japanese amberjack S. quinqueradiata, greater amberjack S. dumerili and yellowtail amberjack S. aureovittata) are most important fish resources, caught and cultured in Japan. ​Eight species of parasites are known to infect the skeletal muscle of Japanese Seriola spp.: the microsporidian Microsporidium seriolae, the myxozoans Kudoa amamiensis, Kudoa megacapsula and Unicapsula seriolae, the digenean Hirudinella ventricosa, the cestode Protogrillotia zerbiae and the nematodes Philometroides seriolae and Anisakis pegreffii. ​They induce detrimental effects on the quality of the muscle tissue and lower marketable value due to anesthetic appearances. ​Additionally, U. seriolae and A. pegreffii may cause food poisoning and zoonosis, respectively. ​In this paper, literature of these parasites from wild and cultured Seriola spp. is reviewed, and current status of their studies and issues are discussed.