Comparison of parasite communities in native and introduced populations of sexual and asexual mollies of the genus Poecilia |
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| Authors: | M. Tobler&dagger &Dagger ,T. Wahli§ , I. Schlupp&dagger ¶ |
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| Affiliation: | Universität Zürich, Zoologisches Institut, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH‐8057 Zürich, Switzerland;, Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A.,; Zentrum für Fisch‐und Wildtiermedizin FIWI, Universität Bern, Länggass‐Str. 122, CH‐3001 Bern, Switzerland; Universität Hamburg, Zoologisches Institut, Martin‐Luther‐King Platz 3, D‐20246 Hamburg, Germany |
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| Abstract: | The parasite communities of two molly species, the sexual Poecilia latipinna and the clonal Poecilia formosa , were investigated in four populations using a novel method applicable under field conditions. In two native populations from south Texas and two introduced populations from central Texas, four species of microparasites and eight species of macroparasites were recorded. Virtually no differences in the parasite diversity and species composition could be detected between the populations. Mollies from south Texas had a higher individual parasitization index of macroparasites. There was a negative correlation between the relative number of oocytes in gravid females and their individual macroparasite load. |
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| Keywords: | fitness consequences of parasites gynogenetic reproduction Poecilia formosa Poecilia latipinna spatial variation in parasite infection |
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