Survey of the Helminth Parasites Infecting the Alabama Waterdog <em>Necturus alabamensis</em>.

<p>This study was designed to provide the foundation for future work on the ecology and evolution of <em>Necturus</em>-parasite systems by providing vital parasite survey information for the aquatic salamander <em>Necturus alabamensis</em>. During this study 115 <em>N. alabamensis</em> were collected from north Florida. Hosts yielded the cestode <em>Proteocephalus loennbergi</em>, monogeneans from the genus <em>Sphyranura</em>, digeneans from the genus <em>Gorgoderina</em>, and what appears to be several nematode species. Nematodes, digeneans, and cestodes were abundant while monogeneans were rare. Monogenean and cestode parasites were categorized as specialists (parasites specific to one species or the species of a single genus), and digenean and nematode parasites were categorized as generalists (infecting numerous, possibly distantly related hosts). Statistical analysis did not indicate a parasite load difference between sites for digeneans and cestodes but did indicate a difference for nematodes. Helminth populations appear to be overdispersed (the majority of the parasites are found in only a few hosts). This study provides insight into some aspects of the ecological relationships of <em>N. alabamensis</em> and its helminths. However, parasite surveys of the other members of <em>Necturus</em> are necessary for the evaluation of evolutionary relationships within this system.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Southern, Timothy Robert

• Monogenea
• Digenea
• Parasite
• Helminth
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/733

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1890