Growth and Triaenophorus Parasitism in Relation to Taxonomy of Lake Winnipeg Ciscoes (Leucichthys)

Abstract

Four species of Lake Winnipeg ciscoes (Leucichthys, Coregonidae) were found to differ in several biological characteristics thus supporting their validity as species. L. nigripinnis and tullibee attained a larger size than either nipigon or zenithicus. The curves of growth differed for the four species. L. nipigon had a higher incidence of infection by the pseudophyllidean tapewom, Triaenophorus crassus, than did the other three species. There was no evidence of common relationship among three species between infection and age of host.