Availability of caecal habitat as a density-dependent limit on survivorship of Leptorhynchoides thecatus in green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus.

Distribution of Leptorhynchoides thecatus (Acanthocephala: Rhadinorhynchidae) among the pyloric caeca and the relationship between site and rate of maturation were studied in laboratory infections of 10, 25 and 40 cystacanths fed to green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus. After 1 week fish fed at each intensity had significantly different numbers of worms. By the 3rd week post-infection, parasites disappeared from the anterior portion of the intestine. At this time the mean numbers of worms recovered from 25 and 40-cystacanth infections were not significantly different. At the end of the 1st week, the area where caeca join the alimentary tract (between caecal area) and caeca numbered 6 and 7 contained significantly more worms than the other sites. By the 3rd week post-infection only caecum 7 contained significantly more worms, and at 5 weeks there was no significant difference between the number of worms present in any caecum or the between caecal area. Initially worms in the more intense infections matured more slowly, but by the 3rd week post-infection there was no significant difference in the states of maturity. The rate of maturation was not related to the site occupied.