Population Biology of the Trematode Uvulifer ambloplitis (Hughes, 1927) in Juvenile Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, and Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

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Abstract
Prevalence and intensity of U. ambloplitis were monitored in a population of juvenile bluegill sunfish, L. macrochirus, and largemouth bass, M. salmoides, from March 1979-Nov. 1982. Prevalence of U. ambloplitis in bluegill did not drop below 50% for any month and often reached 100%, with intensities ranging from 1-269 cysts per fish. Significant differences occurred in the intensity between size classes of bluegill, but not between sexes. Prevalence of cysts in largemouth bass did not exceed 26% and the intensity did not exceed 12 cysts per fish. The frequency distribution of U. ambloplitis in bluegill closely fit the negative binomial model. Recruitment of U. ambloplitis by caged bluegill began in May and ended in Sept., with maximum recruitment occurring in July. Both the prevalence and intensity of U. ambloplitis were exceptionally high in bluegill in the present study as compared with other locations. This may be due to the breeding behavior of the definitive host and population biology of the snail intermediate host combining to maximize parasite transmission and recruitment. Seasonal changes in the degree of overdispersion of U. ambloplitis suggest that parasite-related mortality of bluegill occurs during the winter.

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