Experimental evidence for parasite-induced over-winter mortality in juvenile Rhodeus amarus

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Authors

MICHÁLKOVÁ Veronika ONDRAČKOVÁ Markéta

Year of publication 2014
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Journal of Fish Biology
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12363
Field Zoology
Keywords bitterling; Diplostomum pseudospathaceum; metacercariae; parasite infection; Trematoda
Description In this study, the effects of the eye fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum (Trematoda) infection on over-winter survival of young-of-the-year (YOY) European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Cyprinidae) were examined between September 2010 and April 2011. The fish were reared in semi-natural conditions to ensure that results were not confounded by other parasite infections. The cumulative mortality of R. amarus from November until April was significantly higher in D. pseudospathaceum-infected fish (57·3%) compared to controls (42·1%). Infection of the parental generation did not have any effect on the mortality of juveniles. The results indicate that D. pseudospathaceum infection increases over-winter mortality of YOY R. amarus. The possible mechanisms causing mortality are discussed.
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