Host range differences between two species of freshwater horsehair worm (Nematomorpha: Chordiidae) Chordodes japonensis and C. formosanus in Japan.

Horsehair worms (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea) are endoparasites of terrestrial arthropods, of which two species, Chordodes japonensis and C. formosanus, may have been historically confused due to their morphological similarity. In this study, we conducted field surveys and laboratory parasite inoculation experiments to clarify the characteristics and differences in host range and specificity between the two species.

Host Size Selection in the Ectoparasite (Isopoda: Corallanidae) under Laboratory Conditions.

is a temporary ectoparasite infesting freshwater shrimps and prawns in eastern Asia. This study investigated the host size selection by across common freshwater shrimps under laboratory conditions. A total of 70 isopods were allowed to select between host shrimps of different size and different species in pairwise selection experiments.

Host selection and potential predation in the host-parasite interaction between the isopod and freshwater host species.

is an ectoparasite commonly found on diverse ecologically and commercially valuable freshwater shrimps and prawns. Previous studies on this parasite have focused on its distribution and taxonomical identification, while its host preference and/or the potential predation in this host-parasite interaction remained poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the host preference and potential predation of the isopod using manipulative choice and predation experiments under laboratory settings.

Size Relationship of the Ectoparasite in the Host Shrimp From Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

Monthly sampling of freshwater shrimps infested by the corallanid ectoparasite was conducted at an agricultural canal of the Etsura River system, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, from April 2018 through December 2019. A total of 944 and 279 spp. were collected, and 203 immature were found attached to the carapace of these hosts.