Gigantism and Partial Parasitic Castration of Chaetognatha Infected with Larval Trematodes

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Abstract
INTRODUCTIONParasite-induced excess growth, or gigantism, has been reported in several mammals (reviewed by Cheng, 1971) and a fish (Summerfelt & Warner, 1970). Work on invertebrates has centred on size increase in gastropod molluscs associated with infections by larval trematodes (reviewed by Cheng, 1967, 1971). Among these the results have been variable, with some host species showing real gains in body size (soft tissue) (Rothschild & Rothschild, 1939), others initial gains with later stunting (Pan, 1965), and still others gains only in shell thickness (Cheng, 1967). Parasitic castration in other invertebrate groups, not necessarily accompanied by gigantism, has been reviewed by Kuris (1974).