Population Dynamics and Parasitic Castration: Test of a Model

Qualitative testable predictions in terms of population parameters were developed from a mathematical model for a specific marine host-parasite castration system. The model appears to describe the differences in the degree of parasitism among host species at each of three sites and to describe the biogeographic pattern of parasitism in the barnacle Chthamalus dalli along the West Coast of North America. Six of six predictions were substantiated with field data.