Abstract
AbstractBolbophorous damnificus is a digenetic trematode that causes economic loss for commercial catfish producers by decreasing adult growth rates and increasing mortality in juvenile catfish Ictalurus spp. Efforts to control B. damnificus mainly center around control of an intermediate host, the Ram's Horn Snail Planorbella trivolvis. Black Buffalo Ictiobus niger is a catostomid fish species documented to consume mollusks and, therefore, is a potential control option; however, gastropod consumption by this species has not been documented. Thus, experiments were conducted to (1) evaluate Ram's Horn Snail consumption by Black Buffalo at juvenile and adult life stages and (2) determine whether juvenile Black Buffalo are able to consume sizes of snails typically found in catfish ponds. Nine wild‐caught adult Black Buffalo and 56 captively reared juveniles (age 1) were used in this study. No snails were consumed in adult or juvenile experiments, thus suggesting Black Buffalo do not have the capacity to reduce incidence of B. damnificus through direct consumption of Ram's Horn Snails.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call