THE ROLE OF HOST BIOLOGY, VECTOR BIOLOGY, AND TEMPERATURE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRYPANOPLASMA BULLOCKI INFECTIONS IN THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY

摘要: The hemoflagellate Trypanoplasma bullocki and its leech intermediate host, Calliobdella vivida, were studied concurrently over an 18-mo period. vivida occurred throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay but was most abundant near mouths of major rivers where salinity ranged between 15 22 ppt. produced one generation per year, aestivated in cocoons. Nine different fishes harbored C. leeches fed on additional five species laboratory. infected 35% 595 examined, also 13 teleost representing 10 families, although it prevalent flatfishes. hogchoker, Trinectes maculatus, infections summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, only observed during winter. Infections T. migratory rare re- stricted to periods contact early spring or late fall. Flagellates blood samples from hogchoker absent flounder for up 9 wk after experimental inoculation by syringe at 25 Fishes subsequently cooled C less developed acute infections. This pattern result host-mediated effects rather than parasite temperature tolerance.