Seasonal Occurrence and Host-Parasite Relationships of Neoechinorhynchus saginatus Van Cleave and Bangham 1949 in the Fallfish, Semotilus corporalis (Mitchill)

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Abstract
The seasonal occurrence, population dynamics, intestinal distribution and host specificity of N. saginatus infecting the fallfish, S. corporalis, from the Oyster River, New Hamsphire [USA] were studied June 1975-July 1976 and March 1977-Dec. 1977. N. saginatus did not exhibit a clearly pronounced seasonal pattern in prevalence and mean intensity. Prevalence was 44% or higher in all months sampled. The number of parasites per examined fish differed significantly between June 1975-July 1976 and March 1977-Dec. 1977. Gravid females and subadult N. saginatus were recovered throughout most of the sampling period. N. saginatus occurred throughout the intestine of fallfish, but the majority of acanthocephalans was recovered from the middle portion of the intestine. The intestinal distribution of females and males was similar. Gravid females were most common in the region of the 1st intestinal flexure below the fallfish''s stomach. Sex ratio was close to 1:1. Both prevalence and mean intensity increased significantly with increasing size of fish. Although N. saginatus occurred in 4 other fish spp., gravid worms were only recovered from fallfish.