Population biology of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin) in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus), in two small rivers |
| |
| Authors: | P. Nie, C. R. Kennedy,&dagger |
| |
| Affiliation: | Department of Biological Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PS, U.K. |
| |
| Abstract: | Seasonal changes in populations of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin) were investigated for 17 months in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus), in two rivers in Devon, SW England, but no clear seasonal patterns in prevalence and abundance were apparent. Population levels of the cestode are low in both localities, and it is suggested that natural population levels of P. macrocephalus may generally be low. However, growth and maturation of the cestode show marked seasonality with both occurring mainly in early summer. |
| |
| Keywords: | Proteocephalus macrocephalus Cestoda population biology growth maturation European eel, Anguilla anguilla |
|
|
