Helminth Infracommunities of the Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, from Turkey Marsh, Michigan

Abstract

Totals of 163 adult and 20 larval newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, collected monthly from March through September 1989 from Turkey Marsh, Michigan, were examined for helminths. Bothriocephalus rarus, Telorchis corti, Clinostomum sp., Megalodiscus temperatus, Halipegus sp., Spiroxys sp., and Falcaustra cates- beianae infected newts. The patterns of diversity (measured by Brillouin's index), evenness, species richness, and intensity for all helminths, irrespective of their site of infection, were examined in newts. Newts have isolationist helminth infracommunities arising from factors including a simple enteric system, restricted vagility, and being gape mouth limited and ectothermic. Although newts are opportunistic predators with a broad prey base, this appears not to play a major role in structuring the helminth infracommunity. Significant correlations existed between newt length and Brillouin's index, evenness, species richness, and helminth intensity. Helminths with indirect life cycles predominate in the depauperate helminth fauna of newts.