The project is designed to study landlocked Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) as a host to Gyrodactylus salaris.

The basis for the project was the detection of G. salaris in a population of resident Arctic charr in Lake Fustvatnet in Nordland County. Historical data indicate that G. salaris has been present on Arctic charr in this lake for decades. However, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) has not been present in the lake, probably since the mid 1990s. These facts suggest the population of Arctic charr in Lake Fustvatnet to be susceptible to G. salaris.

In an experimental set up, population growth from two genetically different types of G. salaris described as haplotype A and F, infecting Arctic charr originating from different stocks, will be studied.

The project is supported by The Directorate for Nature Management (DN).