Zafar Iqbal and Rod Wootten
Keywords: Proteocephalus filicollis, cestode, three-spined stickleback, infection, recruitment, growth maturation.
Abstract: Seasonal changes in the biology of Proteocephalus filicollis were investigated for 27 months in three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus from Airthrey Loch Scotland. A total of 1301 fishes were sampled and 1949 P. filicollis worms were extracted. Proteocephalus filicollis were abundant throughout the year as indicated by high prevalence (38.66%), mean intensity (3.87) and abundance (1.49). Monthly prevalence and abundance showed significant difference in two years. Growth and maturation of P. filicollis showed a marked seasonal cycle, as both of these were occurring in spring and summer. The monthly mean length of worm showed positive correlation with water temperature (Year I, r2=93.1; Year II, r2=77.9) but negative correlation with mean intensity (Year I, r2 =30.7; Year II, r2 =5.6). The recruitment of plerocercoid worms occur throughout the year. Four factors are proposed which influence the maturation of P. filicollis; rise in water temperature in summer, low mean intensity; host length and host endocrine system. The natural population of P. filicollis is generally high in Airthray Loch and is correlated to abiotic factors and eutrophic nature of the Loch.
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