Petty, Barbara Denise

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former clinical assistant professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF College of Veterinary Medicine and aquaculture Extension veterinarian, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Gainesville FL

Publications

Monogenean Parasites of Fish

Ruth Francis-Floyd, RuthEllen Klinger, Denise Petty, and Deborah Pouder

Monogeneans are a class of parasitic flatworms that are commonly found on fishes and lower aquatic invertebrates. Most monogeneans are browsers that move about freely on the fish’s body surface feeding on mucus and epithelial cells of the skin and gills; however, a few adult monogeneans will remain permanently attached to a single site on the host. Some monogenean species invade the rectal cavity, ureter, body cavity, and even the blood vascular system. Between 4,000 and 5,000 species of monogeneans have been described. They are found on fishes in fresh and saltwater, and in a wide range of water temperatures.

Ammonia in Aquatic Systems

Ruth Francis-Floyd, Craig Watson, Denise Petty, and Deborah B. Pouder

Management of ammonia, the primary waste product of fish, is critical to fish health, especially in intensive systems. At low concentrations, ammonia causes stress and damages gills and other tissues. Fish exposed to low levels of ammonia over time are more susceptible to bacterial infections, have poor growth, and do not tolerate routine handling well. At higher concentrations, it will kill fish. Many unexplained production losses have likely been caused by ammonia.