title: Temperature dependent population growth of Gyrodactylus derjavini on rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.
abstract: Rainbow trout were experimentally infected with the ectoparasitic monogenean Gyrodactylus derjavini at three temperatures, 5.5 degrees C, 11.6 degrees C and 18.7 degrees C. Subsequently, the infection level was monitored during the following 6 weeks. The population growth was positively correlated with temperature in the initial part of the investigation. At 18.7 degrees C growth of the parasite population was fast reaching a peak abundance within 3 weeks, whereafter the infection level decreased significantly. Peak abundance was recorded in week 5 at 11.6 degrees C. A very slow but steady parasite reproduction was noted at 5.5 degrees C, but no peak abundance was reached within 6 weeks. The decline in parasite population after reaching peak levels is likely to be caused by a host response. The host response is also indicated by the parasites' active selection of particular microhabitats. This anti-monogenean response developed fastest at 18.7 degrees C, more slowly at 11.6 degrees C and was not recorded within 6 weeks at 5.5 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buchmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002589:Cestoda / Q000254:growth & development*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss / Q000469:parasitology*; D013696:Temperature