Establishment, survival, site selection and development ofLeptorhynchoides thecatusin largemouth bass,Micropterus salmoides

Establishment, survival and distribution of Leptorhynchoides thecatus (Acanthocephala) were investigated in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, fed 10, 25, or 40 cystacanths and examined at 1, 3 or 5 weeks post-infection. Worms established widely in the alimentary tracts of bass but by 5 weeks post-infection had localized in the pyloric caeca and intercaecal region. Other individuals moved to parenteral sites where they remained immature, though viable. In the 10- and 25-level exposures, establishment and survivorship in the alimentary tract were roughly proportional to the dose of cystacanths. After 1 week post-infection in the 40-level exposure class, numbers of worms in the alimentary tract decreased significantly and parenteral occurrence increased significantly. Total survival of L. thecatus appeared to be density-independent. Maturation of worms was retarded temporarily as intensity of infection increased, but by 5 weeks post-infection worms from all doses were at roughly the same stage of development within sex. The caeca and intercaecal area apparently did not differ in their suitability for maturation.