Biology of Eubothrium salvelini (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea), a Parasite of Juvenile Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) of Babine Lake, British Columbia

Abstract

Adult worms recovered from naturally infected sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolts provided the eggs for regeneration of Eubothrium salvelini in the laboratory. Of several copepods tested three species of Cyclops proved to be successful intermediate hosts whereby infections were ultimately transmitted to sockeye fry. The parasite's life cycle is described. The rate of development within the intermediate host is shown to be related directly to temperature. It is also demonstrated that susceptibility of fry to infection diminishes as they exceed a certain size.