Nucleic Acid and Amino Acid Sequences, and Vaccine for the Control of Ectoparasite Infestations in Fish

An isolated nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:

• 4, or an amino acid sequence wherein one or two amino acid residues have been removed, substituted or added to the sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:
• 4, and wherein property of inducing an immune response against ectoparasites in fish is maintained.

An isolated polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:

• 4.

A composition comprising SEQ ID NO:

• 4, or a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence at least 70% identical to the sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:
• 4.

(canceled)

A method for inducing an immune response in fish against different ectoparasite species, and/or reducing the number of said parasites in the fish, said method comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising SEQ ID NO:

• 4 to the fish.

(canceled)

A fusion polypeptide comprising an isolated polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:

• 4, or an amino acid sequence at least 70% identical to the sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:
• 4, and a peptide that enhances the antigenic properties of said sequence in a composition for the induction of immune response in fish against different ectoparasite species, and/or reduction of the number of parasites in the fish.

14-15. (canceled)

17-32. (canceled)