Scientific publications

Atlantic salmon parr was found to host 28 parasite species (13 sp. in the Barents Sea watershed, 26 sp. – in the White Sea watershed). The parasite fauna is predominantly composed of arctic forms with elements of the eurybiotic boreal fauna. The parasite taxonomic composition indicates that Atlantic salmon parr feed on larvae and adult insects that hit the water, oligochaetes, and occasional copepods and amphipods. Adult salmon yielded 39 parasite species (19 sp. in the Barents, 33 sp. – in the White Sea watershed). Of these, 15 were marine species (7 sp. in the Barents, 15 sp. – in the White Sea watershed). The composition and quantities of the marine parasite fauna show that Atlantic salmon from the Barents Sea feeds primarily on zooplankton, and that from the White Sea – on fish. For anadromous migrants, most freshwater parasites are a rare exception. High infestation of the catadromous salmon with the cestode Proteocephalus exiguus proves that it actively feeds in fresh waters.