On the Crustacean Hosts of Larval Acanthocephalan and Cestode Parasites in Southwestern Lake Michigan

Abstract

A total of 11,875 Pontoporeia affinis (Lindstrom) (Amphipoda) and Mysis relicta (Loven) (Mysidacea) from bottom samples as well as from the stomachs of slimy sculpins, Cottus cognatus Richardson, was dissected in search of certain larval helminth parasites. P. affinis was infected with larval Echinorhynchus salmonis Mueller 1784 (Acanthocephala) (new cystacanth geographical record in Lake Michigan), A. parksidei Amin 1974 (Acanthocephala) (1st record of an intermediate host for A. parksidei) and Cyathocephalus truncatus Pallas 1781 (Cestoda) (1st procercoid record in the USA). One M. relicta was infected with C. truncatus (new host record). Frequency of infection with these parasitic species was extremely low although somewhat higher, particularly in P. affinis females, from sculpins than from bottom samples. Most C. truncatus procercoids were gravid and progenesis of this species in North American P. affinis, along with other findings, is discussed.