Temperature-dependent reproduction and survival of Gyrodactylus bullatarudis (Monogenea) on guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

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Abstract
Summary: Temperature-dependent survival and reproduction of Gyrodactylus bullatarudis Turnbull, 1956 were examined at 17, 21, 25·5, 27·5 and 30 °C on isolated guppies under conditions where parasite density dependence and host responses were minimized. Parasites had the longest life-span (5·5 days) at 21 °C, the highest average fecundity (1·73 offspring) at 25·5 °C and the highest instantaneous per capita birth rate (0·543/parasite/day) at 27·5 °C. The intrinsic rate of increase of the parasite population was maximum (0·230/parasite/day) at 27·5 °C. Data obtained from this study indicate that G. bullatarudis are not able to survive at 30 °C.