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Brittlestar host specificity and apparent host discrimination by the parasitic copepod Ophiopsyllus reductus*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

R. H. Emson  and
P. V. Mladenov
R. H. Emson
Affiliation:
Biology Department, King's College(KQC), Strand Campus, London WC2R 2LS
P. V. Mladenov
Affiliation:
Biology Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada EOA 3C0
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Summary

Host specificity of a siphonostome copepod Ophiopsyllus reductus was confirmed by the results of an extensive survey of co-existing possible alternate host brittlestars. The parasite was found only on Ophiocomella ophiactoides. The ability to discriminate between potential hosts was tested experimentally. O. ophiactoides was always preferred and, in experiments with unrelated alternative hosts, the discrimination was absolute. When closely related species were the alternate host, discrimination was less complete. It is suggested that the discrimination is due to recognition of either tactile or chemical characteristics of the preferred host.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 94 , Issue 1 , February 1987 , pp. 7 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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