R. Knudsen et al., PARASITES AS INDICATORS OF INDIVIDUAL FEEDING SPECIALIZATION IN ARCTIC CHARR DURING WINTER IN NORTHERN NORWAY, Journal of Fish Biology, 48(6), 1996, pp. 1256-1265
The relationship between infection with the food-transmitted parasites
Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, D. ditremum (Cestoda) and Cystidicola f
arionis (Nematoda) and prey selection was studied in individual Arctic
charr from Lake Takvatn, northern Norway. There was no correlation be
tween parasites transmitted throughout prey organisms from benthic hab
itats (amphipods) and pelagic habitats(copepods). A strong relationshi
p between infection with a parasite species and the corresponding inte
rmediate host from the stomach content of individual charr, indicated
an individual feeding specialization. Independent of size, charr speci
alized on the intermediate hosts of all three parasite species. Some c
harr maintained this specialization on specific prey items throughout
the winter period. These parasite species are considered to be useful
indicators of past prey selection. (C) 1996 The Fisheries Society of t
he British Isles