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How fish‐helminth associations arise: an example from Arctic charr in Loch Rannoch
Author(s) -
Dorucu M.,
Adams C. E.,
Huntingford F. A.,
Crompton D. W. T.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1995.tb06027.x
Subject(s) - biology , pelagic zone , salvelinus , benthic zone , ecology , sympatric speciation , arctic , helminths , trophic level , gasterosteus , paratenic , host (biology) , zoology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , trout
Three sympatric morphs of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus occur in Loch Rannoch, Scotland, and are identified by their differing head morphology and diet. These are small‐headed benthic, large‐headed benthic and pelagic morphs. Six species of endoparasitic helminth were found in the fish, but the morphs had different patterns of infection. Overall infections in pelagic charr were heavier than in large‐headed benthics, which were in turn heavier than in small‐headed benthics, even though benthic charr live longer than pelagics. Pelagic fish had high prevalences and intensities of pseudophyllidean tapeworms, the intermediate hosts of which are copepods. The prevalence and intensity of metacercariae of Diplostomum sp. (the intermediate hosts of which are snails) were high in the benthic morphs. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of ecological factors on transmission of helminth parasites to their hosts and the evolution of host‐parasite associations.