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Transmission dynamics of a trematode parasite: exposure, acquired resistance and parasite aggregation

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Abstract

This paper examines the relative importance of exposure and susceptibility to the infection of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with the trematode parasite Diplostomum spathaceum under natural conditions. A total of 93 individually marked, similarly aged fish were introduced into three cages at regular time intervals and the intensity of infection in individuals recorded by counting parasites in live fish using ophthalmic techniques. Fish introduced into the cages became infected faster than fish that were already in the cages, indicating that fish developed resistance to infection after repeated exposure. Fish kept in the cages experienced similar levels of exposure and the distribution of parasites between these fish was not significantly different from a random distribution. In contrast, parasites from 16 Finnish wild roach populations were highly aggregated. The differences between the caged fish and the wild fish indicate that the aggregated distribution in wild fish might be determined by variations in exposure rather than variations in susceptibility between fish. This is one of the few studies to demonstrate the development of resistance in fish against the parasite under natural conditions, and to attempt to separate exposure and susceptibility as causative agents of parasite aggregation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Satu Paukku and all other persons who assisted in the fieldwork. Special thanks to Jouni Taskinen for roach data, Yrjö Lankinen for the fish material and Jukka Jokela for valuable discussions. Markku Julkunen and Harri Högmander gave statistical advice. The study was conducted at the Konnevesi Research Station, and was financed by Biological Interactions graduate school and the SUNARE research programme of the Academy of Finland. The experiments conducted in this study were approved by the lab-animal care and use committee of the University of Jyväskylä and comply with the laws of Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland

    Anssi Karvonen, Otto Seppälä & E. Tellervo Valtonen

  2. Biology Department, Penn State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA

    Peter J. Hudson

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK

    Peter J. Hudson

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  1. Anssi Karvonen
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  2. Peter J. Hudson
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  3. Otto Seppälä
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  4. E. Tellervo Valtonen
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Correspondence to Anssi Karvonen.

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Karvonen, A., Hudson, P.J., Seppälä, O. et al. Transmission dynamics of a trematode parasite: exposure, acquired resistance and parasite aggregation. Parasitol Res 92, 183–188 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-1035-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-003-1035-y

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