The influence of Cryptocotyle lingua (Digenea:Platyhelminthes) infections on the survival and fecundity of Littorina littorea (Gastropoda:Prosobranchia); an ecological approach

Huxham, M; Raffaelli, D; Pike, A

Abstract

This study considers the impact of digenean parasites, especially Cryptocotyle lingua (Creplin) on the survival, reproduction, growth rate and foot colour of Littorina littorea (Forbes and Hanley). An 18 month field experiment demonstrated decreased survivorship of infected snails. A laboratory experiment showed a drastic reduction, but not total cessation, of gamete production in infected females. Infection was found to retard growth and correlate with reduced shell height in some animals. A strong relationship was found between foot colour and infection. The relevance of infection to the population dynamics of L. littorea on the Ythan, and to the Ythan food web as a whole, is considered

Citation

Huxham, M., Raffaelli, D., & Pike, A. (1993). The influence of Cryptocotyle lingua (Digenea:Platyhelminthes) infections on the survival and fecundity of Littorina littorea (Gastropoda:Prosobranchia); an ecological approach. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 168(2), (223-238). doi:10.1016/0022-0981(93)90262-m. ISSN 0022-0981

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 1993
• Online Publication Date: Mar 31, 2003
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 1993
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0022-0981
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 168
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 223-238
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981%2893%2990262-m
• Keywords: Aquatic science; Ecology; Evolution; Behavior and systematics
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/455036