Heterogeneity of Surf Smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus (Girard), in the State of Washington, as Judged by Incidence of Larval Anisakis (Nematoda)

Abstract

Spawning populations of surf smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus (Girard), from three distinct localities on the coast of Washington State revealed different levels of infestation by larval nematodes, genus Anisakis, in 1962. There was high incidence of the parasite among smelt from the outer coast; in contrast, incidence was low in one of the populations examined from two localities within Puget Sound, and the other was unparasitized. On the basis of the incidence of the parasite, inferences were drawn concerning the distribution, movements, and admixture of the three populations.