Mean Intensity and Prevalence of Cotylaspis insignis (Trematoda: Aspidogastridae) Infections in the Fat Mucket, Lampsilis radiata luteola (Bivalvia: Unionidae), from North Elkhorn Creek, a Tributary of the Kentucky River in Central Kentucky, USA

摘要

The objectives of the present study were: (1) to establish the identity of Cotylaspis insignis in fat mucket, Lampsilis radiata luteola, specimens collected during the summer of 2014 from North Elkhorn Creek, Scott County, Kentucky, U.S.A.; (2) to assess host histopathology; and (3) to determine the prevalence and mean intensity of C. insignia in this mussel based on host sex and size/shell length. Whole mounts and histological sections of this worm revealed 19-20 peripheral alveoli and 9 central alveoli in the ventral sucker, as well as 19 marginal bodies, confirming the identification of this species. Specimens prepared for histological sectioning readily detached from host tissue in fixative, and no host pathology was observed. Eighty-one of 86 L. r. luteola harbored C. insignis infections, resulting in an overall prevalence of 94.2% and a mean intensity of infection of 9.31 +/- 6.93. Results of statistical tests showed no significant differences in either the prevalence or mean intensity of infection when compared by host shell length or host sex. These results are compared to prior surveys of this trematode in freshwater mussels within the United States.