Prevalence and Effects of 'Eustrongylides' (Nematoda) Infection in 'Fundulus Heteroclitus and other Flished of the Chesapeake Bay Region

摘要

A survey of Fundulus heteroclitus and other fish species for Eustrongylides (Nematoda) infection was conducted at twenty-one Chesapeake Bay tributary stations in 1983. For F. heteroclitus, parasite prevalence ranged from 0 to 41.3% among sites, and was negatively correlated with salinity. The highest prevalence was found at stations located near sewage-treatment plants and a heron rookery. Difference in prevalence among sites could be explained by density of the nematode's intermediate host, Limnodrilus sp., which was positively correlated with parasite prevalence. Prevalence was also found to be positively correlated with fish length.