Temperature-dependent survival and reproduction within populations of the ectoparasitic digenean Transversotrema patialense on the fish host

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: The reproduction and survival of the ectoparasitic digenean Transversotrema patialense on the fish host Brachydanio rerio are shown to be temperature-dependent. Survival is reduced by any deviation from an optimum temperature of approximately 23°C. With increasing temperature the rate of egg production per surviving fluke rises progressively faster to a higher peak up to 29°C but falls to zero by 35°C. The span of egg production varies closely with the life-span of the parasite at each temperature. The optimum temperature for the total number of eggs produced by each cohort of parasites is also 23°C. This number is a function of both adult parasite survival and the rate of egg output.