Myxosoma funduli Kudo 1918 (Protozoa: Myxosporida) in Fundulus kansae: Summer Epizootiology

Abstract

The occurrence and distribution of the myxosporida Myxosoma funduli on the gills of the plains killifish (Fundulus kansae) were investigated; Fundulus kansae is reported as a new host. Host samples from various sites on the South Platte River, Nebraska, were collected during the summer months of 1975 and 1976. The protozoan parasite population was shown to be overdispersed within the host population, and this distribution was similar to that described by the negative binomial equation. Demographic characteristics of the infected fish subpopulation were virtually identical to those of the whole fish population. Infection intensity was independent of gill bar number or side. The frequency of bilateral infections was 0.54, of left only infections was 0.23, and of right only infections was 0.22. Distribution of immature and mature plasmodia indicated that a pre-existing infection did not preclude a new infection, and suggested a prepatent period of less than two months.