Trichodinid (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) Infections in Perch (Perca fluviatilis) Experimentally Exposed to Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents

Wild-caught European perch (Perca fluviatilis) were exposed in the laboratory to untreated bleached pulp and paper mill effluent in two separate experiments. The first experiment was conducted at 7–8°C using effluent concentrations of 5 and 10%, and the second experiment was conducted at ambient river temperature of 4–20°C using an effluent concentration of 1%. Trichodinid ciliates were identified and enumerated at the end of the exposure using a mucus subsampling technique from gill and skin as well as a formalin immersion technique, which provided total counts on each fish. Four different trichodinid species were identified on the fish. Prevalence of infection, mean number, and mean density of Trichodina spp. decreased on fish exposed to effluents compared with controls. Prevalence of infection, mean number, and mean density of Trichodinella epizootica decreased on fish exposed to 5% and 10% effluents but increased on fish exposed to 1% effluents compared with controls. These results demonstrate that trichodinid ciliates vary in their susceptibility to at least certain types of contaminants and cautions against using trichodinids as environmental indicators without delineating species.