Parasites in paradise: patterns of helminth distribution in hawaiian stream fishes

Abstract

Of the 13 species of helminths that parasitize stream fishes in Hawai'i, seven species are considered to be native to the archipelago and the remaining six species to be introduced by man. Sources of colonization for native species are piscivorous birds for three species, and marine fishes for four species. Non-native helminths have been brought to Hawai'i in association with the importation of parasitized exotic species of poeciliids introduced into streams for mosquito control and as aquarium releases. Many of these introduced parasites have broad host specificity and now infect the five species of native gobioid stream fishes. Exotic parasites, including a roundworm Camallanus cotti, a tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and a leech Myzobdella lugubris, are more widely distributed among Hawaiian streams than are native species.