| A total of 270 yellow perch, Perca flavescens, was examined for nematodes in May and September 1992 from four locations in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, and in October 1993 from one location in Lake St. Clair. Composition, prevalence and intensity of the nematode fauna of yellow perch differed between Saginaw Bay and Lake St. Clair. The study locations in Saginaw Bay varied in biotic and abiotic characteristics. Prevalences and intensities of nematodes varied with location and month of yellow perch collection. Distributions of Eustrongylides tubifex, Philometra cylindracea, Dichelyne cotylophora, and Raphidascaris sp. appear to be influenced by the distributions of intermediate and paratenic hosts and by the life histories of the perch and the nematodes. Larger and older yellow perch had higher prevalence and intensity of E. tubifex. Intensity of Raphidascaris sp. also increased with host length. High prevalence and intensity of E. tubifex indicate that yellow perch from Saginaw Bay should not be used for stocking purposes. |
