title: Evidence for post-cyclic transmission in the life-history of Neoechinorhynchus rutili (Acanthocephala).
abstract: Field observations at one site on brown trout (Salmo trutta) and three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) concurrently infected with mature Neoechinorhynchus rutili, together with the knowledge that large trout can be piscivorous in habit led to the proposition that the post-cyclic transmission of N. rutili may occur between these fish species. This route of transmission has been suggested for a number of acanthocephalan species. A laboratory experiment was conducted and it was demonstrated that uninfected rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) can acquire a N. rutili infection as a result of feeding on sticklebacks already carrying established worms in their intestines. This finding may help to explain how N. rutili is found in a wide range of fish definitive hosts throughout the northern holarctic region. More generally this example provides further evidence of the flexibility within acanthocephalan life-history patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: O L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Lassiere
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Crompton
mesh_terms: D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D005399:Fishes; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal; D012487:Salmonidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D014337:Trout / Q000469:parasitology*