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Behaviour of roach ( Rutilus rutilus L.) altered by Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): a field demonstration
Author(s) -
Loot Géraldine,
Brosse Sébastien,
Lek Sovan,
Guégan JeanFrançois
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.2001.00733.x
Subject(s) - rutilus , biology , cestoda , parasite hosting , abundance (ecology) , intermediate host , zoology , ecology , predation , helminths , host (biology) , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , world wide web , computer science
1. We studied the influence of a cestode parasite, the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis (L.) on roach ( Rutilus rutilus L.) spatial occupancy in a French reservoir (Lake Pareloup, South‐west of France). 2. Fish host age, habitat use and parasite occurrence and abundance were determined during a 1 year cycle using monthly gill‐net catches. Multivariate analysis [generalized linear models (GLIM)], revealed significant relationships ( P < 0.05) between roach age, its spatial occupancy and parasite occurrence and abundance. 3. Three‐year‐old roach were found to be heavily parasitized and their location toward the bank was significantly linked to parasite occurrence and abundance. Parasitized fish, considering both parasite occurrence and abundance, tended to occur close to the bank between July and December. On the contrary, between January and June no significant relationship was found. 4. These behavioural changes induced by the parasite may increase piscivorous bird encounter rate and predation efficiency on parasitized roach and therefore facilitate completion of the parasite’s life cycle.