Myxidium gadi (Georgevitch, 1916) and M. oviforme (Parisi, 1912) in the Gall Bladder of Cod (Gadus morhua L.)

With usage of parasites as biological indicators in mind, 256 gall bladders from cod were examined for myxosporidian infections. On seven different locations on the Faroe Plateau, and one on the Faroe Bank samples were taken with the research vessel Magnus Heinason in the summer of 1998. Parasites can be used as indicators of the Faroe Bank cod in relation to the cod on the Faroe Plateau. Two species of myxosporidians were found in the cod from the Faroe Plateau, Myxidium ovifonne and M. gadi. Myxidium oviforme occurred on all stations with a prevalence from 10% to 34%. Myxidium gadi was only found on one station south west of the Faroes, and in young cods in Nólsoyarfjørður.