THE DISTRIBUTION OF LERNAEA-CYPRINACEA (COPEPODA, LERNAEIDAE) IN POPULATIONS OF CARASSIUS

Differences in the infection with copepods and the character of distri bution of occurrence frequencies of Lernaea in crucian carp depending on the body length and sex of the latter are shown. The lowest infecti on rate with copepods was recorded for fishes with body length 8-11 cm as compared to specimens with body length 12-18 and 18.5-34 cm. The t wo latter groups did not differ from each other in this index. In male s and females whose body length is 8-11 cm as well as in females with body length 12-34 cm the occurrence frequencies of Lernaea are satisfa ctorily described by the negative binominal distribution curve. In mal es with body length 12-18 cm the occurrence frequencies of copepods ar e approximated by the binominal distribution curve. On the basis of ob tained data it was concluded that fishes with a small body length as w ell as Carassius males and females with a greater body length represen t three distinct host groups which differ in their part of maintaining the number of Lernaea of the host group.