title: Establishment, survival, site selection and development of Leptorhynchoides thecatus in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides.
abstract: Establishment, survival and distribution of Leptorhynchoides thecatus (Acanthocephala) were investigated in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, fed 10, 25, or 40 cystacanths and examined at 1, 3 or 5 weeks post-infection. Worms established widely in the alimentary tracts of bass but by 5 weeks post-infection had localized in the pyloric caeca and intercaecal region. Other individuals moved to parenteral sites where they remained immature, though viable. In the 10- and 25-level exposures, establishment and survivorship in the alimentary tract were roughly proportional to the dose of cystacanths. After 1 week post-infection in the 40-level exposure class, numbers of worms in the alimentary tract decreased significantly and parenteral occurrence increased significantly. Total survival of L. thecatus appeared to be density-independent. Maturation of worms was retarded temporarily as intensity of infection increased, but by 5 weeks post-infection worms from all doses were at roughly the same stage of development within sex. The caeca and intercaecal area apparently did not differ in their suitability for maturation.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 68588-0118.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Leadabrand
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Nickol
mesh_terms: D000049:Acanthocephala / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000469:parasitology*; D002432:Cecum / Q000469:parasitology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D005618:Fresh Water; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000469:parasitology; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012044:Regression Analysis