A Comparative Parasite Analysis of Lake Champlain Largemouth Bass and Bluegill

Authors: Jack Travis, Brian Hefferon

SUNY Campus: SUNY Cobleskill

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 12

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Fish parasites are organisms that live in or on fish, depending on them for nutrients, shelter, or reproductive purposes. Many parasites have complex life histories involving multiple hosts, making them valuable for studying intricate ecosystems that can be difficult to examine. To better understand the South Bay Landing ecosystem of Lake Champlain and investigate variations in parasite infestations between two trophic levels of fish, six largemouth bass and five bluegill were captured and subjected to full necropsies. Parasites inhabiting each of the eleven fish were identified, enumerated, and their locations recorded. Parasite populations were compared between species to assess trends in host specificity. The density and diversity of parasites differed between the two species. Notably, gill lice were absent in bluegill but abundant in largemouth bass. Digenetic flukes were present in both species, but in higher densities in bluegill. While bluegill lacked intestinal tapeworms, they were frequently encountered in largemouth bass. These results reflect the differing diets of the two trophic levels. Bluegill appear to consume more macroinvertebrates, while largemouth bass feed on more small fish.