Effects of the black spot disease parasite, Uvulifer amblopliti, on the behavior of blacknose dace

Campbell, Kaitlyn

Effects of the black spot disease parasite, Uvulifer amblopliti, on the behavior of blacknose dace

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/42796

Author(s)

Campbell, Kaitlyn

Date Issued

May 2, 2017

Abstract

Parasites are extremely common in fish populations and affect the health and behavior of their host. Many parasites do not kill their hosts, but rather utilize host energy resources, which indirectly can change normal behaviors of their host. The purpose of this study is to examine how the parasite Uvulifer amblopliti, commonly called Black Spot Disease (BSD) affects the foraging behaviors of blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) in the French Creek Watershed Area in Northwestern, Pennsylvania. I hypothesized that with an increase in parasite load, there would be a decrease in ability to capture prey. I studied the behavior of fish with different loads of BSD infection. With an increase in parasite load, I speculated there to be an increase in feeding rates within the individuals, possibly due to the amount of energy that is needed to host the parasites without causing harm to itself. I found that with an increase in parasite load, prey consumption success rates decreased. I concluded that this parasite can reduce its host’s ability to capture food effectively while also requiring a greater intake of protein. Some future studies of this topic would include observations of other behaviors such as competition success between parasite load categories and swimming performance.

Major

Biology

First Reader(s)

Wissinger, Scott