Susceptibility to parasite infection in sympatric and allopatric population of European bitterling - field experiment
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | In our experiment, four sub-populations of parasite-free juvenile fish (European bitterling, Rhodeus amarus) tested for susceptibility to infection of sympatric and allopatric parasites: fish originating from Kyjovka River (Danube basin), fish originating from Elbe River (Elbe basin), 2 hybrid subpopulations. Sub-populations of juvenile fish were put separately into the experimental cages installed in a side channel of the Kyjovka River and were exposed to their sympatric and allopatric parasites. Trend of the highest parasite abundance was found in allopatric host sub-population which might be explained by a low adaptation to specific parasite species. Parasite infection rate in hybrid sub-populations was found to be comparable or lower than in pure sympatric host sub-population. Also the lowest mortality was recorded in one of the hybrid sub-populations, suggesting better characteristics in survival and immune defence of these fish. |
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