Some parasites of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) from the Yellowstone River, Montana

Authors

Lawrence L. Lockard, Pierre, South Dakota
R. Randall Parsons, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

Abstract

One species of copepod (Ergasilus elongatus), one trematode (Diclybothrium hamulatum), two nematodes (Camallanus oxycephalus and Contracaecum sp.), and two cestodes (Marsipometra hastata and M. parva) were recovered from 17 paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) collected from the Yellowstone River, Montana, on 11 and 18 May 1973. The male paddlefish averaged 69.4 nematodes and 157.6 cestodes per infected fish while the females averaged 12.0 nematodes and 415.7 cestodes. The higher intensity of cestode infection in female paddlefish was attributed to their larger size and consequent greater intake of food resulting in more exposure to the cestode intermediate hosts (Cyclops bicuspidatus).

Recommended Citation

Lockard, Lawrence L. and Parsons, R. Randall (1975) "Some parasites of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) from the Yellowstone River, Montana," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 35: No. 4, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol35/iss4/9