Small estuarine fishes feed on large trematode cercariae: Lab and field investigations
Journal of Parasitology
By: A.T. Kaplan, S. Rebhal, K. D. Lafferty, and A. M. Kuris
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Abstract
In aquatic ecosystems, dense populations of snails can shed millions of digenean trematode cercariae every day. These short-lived, free-living larvae are rich in energy and present a potential resource for consumers. We investigated whether estuarine fishes eat cercariae shed by trematodes of the estuarine snail Cerithidea californica. In aquaria we presented cercariae from 10 native trematode species to 6 species of native estuarine fishes. Many of these fishes readily engorged on cercariae. To determine if fishes ate cercariae in the field, we collected the most common fish species, Fundulus parvipinnis (California killifish), from shallow water on rising tides when snails shed cercariae. Of 61 killifish, 3 had recognizable cercariae in their gut. Because cercariae are common in this estuary, they could be frequent sources of energy for small fishes. In turn, predation on cercariae by fishes (and other predators) could also reduce the transmission success of trematodes. ?? 2009 American Society of Parasitologists.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Small estuarine fishes feed on large trematode cercariae: Lab and field investigations |
| Series title | Journal of Parasitology |
| DOI | 10.1645/GE-1737.1 |
| Volume | 95 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Parasitology |
| First page | 477 |
| Last page | 480 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |