CENTRARCHID FISH AS PARATENIC HOSTS OF THE GIANT KIDNEY WORM, DIOCTOPHYMA RENALE (GOEZE, 1782), IN ONTARIO, CANADA

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Abstract
Infective larvae of D. renale were found in the hypaxial musculature of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) from 3 lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. This represents the 1st report of D. renale in centrarchid fish. In the 3 lakes surveyed prevalence and mean intensity ranged from 5-23% and 1-2 larvae, respectively. Larvae elicited a mild granulomatous reaction in pumpkinseed. Two ferrets were each given 5 larvae from pumpkinseed. Adult D. renale were recovered from the right kidney capsule of ferrets 108 and 134 days postinfection. An opening in the ventral surface of the right kidney capsule was present in 1 ferret. Chronic peritonitis was associated with eggs of D. renale and cellular debris which probably entered the abdominal cavity from the right kidney capsule.