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Host specificity, host location and dispersal: experimental conclusions from freshwater mites (Unionicola spp.) parasitizing unionid mussels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. Barbara Downes
J. Barbara Downes
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2043, USA
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Summary

Parasites with low host specificity are predicted to search for hosts in ways less specific than highly host-specific species. They may also be better dispersers. Unionicolan mites that parasitize mussels are positively phototactic, with some species becoming negatively phototactic when host substances are present. This response has been interpreted as an aid to host location and occurs in species where adult mites have a relatively permanent association with hosts. Three species of Unionicola (Unionicolidae: Acari) that differ in host specificity co-occur in freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in St Mark's River in north Florida.

Keywords

host specificityUnionicola spphost locationdispersalphototactic response
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , April 1989 , pp. 189 - 196
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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