Ecology of proteocephalus torulosus in the blue bream (Abramis ballerus) fromthe oder river on the borders of germany and poland

Abstract

During studies on the ecology of fish helminths, the tapeworm Proteocephalus torulosus (Batsch, 1786) was frequently found in the intestine of the blue bream (Abramis ballerus) from the Oder River (Germany/Poland). In total, 633 fish, ranging between two and 16 years old, were sampled at monthly intervals over a two year period during 1993-1995. Statistically significant differences in the seasonal occurrence of the parasite in its fish host were observed. In 1993, the prevalence remained at a high level, ranging between 61. 9 and 100%. During the summer of 1994, this value decreased to 5.5% and remained low for the rest of the year. The pattern of mean intensity of infection was similar to that of the prevalence. In 1993, the mean intensity varied between 8.4 and 31.8 worms per infected fish, with a continual loss of worms being observed in the summer of 1994. Changes in the amount of suspended particulate matter in water have been identified as the main cause of these observed differences in the course of infection of blue bream.