Differential Strigeid Infection Patterns in Male Morphotypes of Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus).

Purpose: Behavioral variation among conspecific organisms can have substantial ecological impacts, particularly affecting parasite infection. Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exhibit multiple male reproductive morphotypes that differ in their size, feeding dynamics, and reproductive behavior. This study investigated how these morphological and ecological differences contribute to the patterns of infection by strigeid trematodes.

PARASITISM IN HYBRID SUNFISH (LEPOMIS SPP.): PATTERNS OF INFECTION AT THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY LEVEL.

Sunfish (Lepomis spp.) are among the most common piscine inhabitants of freshwater lakes and ponds in North America. Lepomis spp.