Establishment and interspecific associations in two species of Ichthyocotylurus (Trematoda) parasites in perch (Perca fluviatilis)

0364750 - BC 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Faltýnková, Anna - Karvonen, A. - Valtonen, E. T.
Establishment and interspecific associations in two species of Ichthyocotylurus (Trematoda) parasites in perch (Perca fluviatilis).
Parasites & Vectors. Roč. 4, č. 1 (2011), e85. ISSN 1756-3305. E-ISSN 1756-3305
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : ERRATICUS RUDOLPHI * CENTRAL FINLAND * I-VARIEGATUS * COMMUNITIES * STRIGEIDAE * ASSEMBLAGES
Subject RIV: GJ - Animal Vermins ; Diseases, Veterinary Medicine
Impact factor: 2.937, year: 2011

We investigated metacercarial establishment and interspecific associations in the trematodes Ichthyocotylurus variegatus and I. pileatus co-infecting three age cohorts of young perch (Perca fluviatilis). The results suggest similar temporal patterns of transmission, non-random establishment, and facilitative rather than competitive associations between the parasite species independently of the age of the infracommunities. However, we suggest that spatial differences in exposure are most likely responsible for the segregation of the parasite species observed in the few most heavily infected hosts. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, the result suggests that between-species associations should be interpreted with caution along with detailed examination of the parasite distribution among host individuals.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0200145