The Life History of Mytilicola Intestinalis Steuer1

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Abstract
Monthly samples of 100 mussels from Lee-on-the-Solent and Whitstable have been investigated over two years for the incidence of parasitism by Mytilicola intestinalis. It was found that numbers of parasites from both sites underwent seasonal variation and the change in numbers of immature stages indicated that infection occurred only once in the year; this corresponded to the time when sea temperatures were over 18°C. It was therefore postulated that this temperature is necessary for the successful infection of mussels and thus the life cycle of the parasite is closely regulated by the environment. Any variation of life history in different localities will be due to differences in environmental temperatures. Generally in the British Isles, the critical temperature is exceeded for a short time only and therefore there is only one cycle of the parasite each year. However, mortality in the parasite population occurs twice during the year (July to September, and December to February) and corresponds to the release of eggs from mature female parasites. Eggs liberated during the winter do not infect new hosts.
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