Effect of habitat conditions on parasite infection in 0+juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in two Czech reservoirs

0421234 - ÚBO 2015 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Francová, K. - Ondračková, Markéta
Effect of habitat conditions on parasite infection in 0+juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in two Czech reservoirs.
Hydrobiologia. Roč. 721, č. 1 (2014), s. 57-66. ISSN 0018-8158. E-ISSN 1573-5117
R&D Projects: GA ČR GBP505/12/G112
Institutional support: RVO:68081766
Keywords : Parasite * Intermediate host * Food availability * Habitat conditions * Lentic * Littoral
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.275, year: 2014

The objective of this study was to identify potential effects of habitat conditions on parasite infection risk in reservoirs. For this, we compared parasite infection in 0+ perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) between reservoir sections: (1) along the longitudinal profile of Brno reservoir (inflow-main body-outflow), and (2) the transversal profile of Hamry reservoir (littoral and pelagic zones). Perch were predominantly infected with trophically transmitted endoparasites. Longitudinal parasite infection differed between sampling sections, showing different trends in particular parasite species between sections. The abundance of dominant Bunodera luciopercae was highest in the main body and lowest in the outflow, abundance of Proteocephalus sp. and Camallanus spp. decreased between the inflow and outflow, and abundance of Acanthocephalus lucii and ectoparasites (Gyrodactylus sp. and Argulus foliaceus) increased from the inflow to the outflow. Parasite diversity was higher in the outflow compared to other sections. No difference was observed in parasite abundance between littoral and pelagic perch subpopulations, though higher endoparasite diversity was found in the littoral zone. The results indicate that habitat type can influence parasite infection in perch through local food (intermediate host) availability. Fish-host behaviour is also discussed as a factor possibly influencing infection in perch.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0227692