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Patterns in helminth communities in freshwater fish in Great Britain: alternative strategies for colonization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

G. W. Esch
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N. Carolina 27109, USA
C. R. Kennedy
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, The University, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
A. O. Bush
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6A9, Canada
J. M. Aho
Affiliation:
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29801, USA

Summary

Examples of the apparently stochastic nature of freshwater fish helminth communities illustrating the erratic and unpredictable occurrence and distribution of many species are provided for six species of fish from several localities throughout Britain. By focussing on parasite colonization strategies two categories of helminths are recognized: autogenic species which mature in fish and allogenic species which mature in vertebrates other than fish and have a greater colonization potential and ability. Three groups of fish are distinguished: salmonids, in which helminth communities are generally dominated by autogenic species which are also responsible for most of the similarity within and between localities; cyprinids, in which they are dominated by allogenic species which are also responsible for most of the similarity within and between localities; and anguillids, whose helminth communities exhibit intermediate features with neither category consistently dominating nor providing a clear pattern of similarity. Recognition and appreciation of the different colonization strategies of autogenic and allogenic helminths in respect of host vagility and ability to cross land or sea barriers and break down habitat isolation, and their period of residence in a locality, whether transient or permanent, provides an understanding of, and explanation for, the observed patchy spatial distribution of many helminths. Comparison with other parts of the world indicates that colonization is a major determinant of helminth community structure.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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