Genetically distinct colour morphs of European perch Perca fluviatilis in Lake Constance differ in susceptibility to macroparasites

The unusual yellow‐finned morph of European perch Perca fluviatilis found in Lake Constance suffers more severely from macroparasite infections, including the tapeworm Triaenophorus nodulosus and the gill worm Ancyrocephalus percae , than conspecifics elsewhere. Microsatellite analysis of yellow‐finned P. fluviatilis and red‐finned variant recently discovered in Lake Constance revealed significant genetic differentiation. Red‐finned P. fluviatilis and fish with mixed fin colour, suggested backcrosses between red and yellow‐finned colour morphs, exhibit better resilience to parasite infection, suggesting that the inability of the yellow‐finned morph to reject macroparasites may have a genetic basis.