Parasitic copepods in the sea hare Dolabrifera brazieri (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Anaspidea)

Abstract

The parasitic copepod, Alimeda orientalis, is recorded from the gill of the sea hare, Dolabrifera brazieri (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Anaspidea). Ten specimens of D. brazieri from a population on the coast of New South Wales, Australia were examined for the incidence of parasitism. Histological techniques and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to determine the feeding mode of A. orientalis and its effect on the host. Alimeda orientalis is a tissue feeder on the gill tissue, and damage caused by feeding and attachment is minimal.