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Variations in infestation rates of Lepidochitona cinereus (Polyplacophora) by Minchinia chitonis (Sporozoa) in twelve populations in Scotland and Northern Ireland

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Abstract

The temporal and spatial variability in infestation rate of the chiton Lepidochitona cinereus (L.) by the sporozoan Minchinia chitonis (Lankester, 1885) is described and discussed for twelve sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland sampled in 1987. Sites where the population of L. cinereus were heavily infected displayed greater modal lengths than those with only a small proportion of infected individuals. Temporal observations at Easthaven and Watersound revealed different changes in population structure and infestation rates. The Watersound population showed both reduced size range and infestation rate compared with Easthaven, where the infection rate increased between 1978 and 1987. The degree of infection of an individual L. cinereus is divided into three categories; light, medium and heavy. These categories have been defined by both gross and microscopic histological observations.

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Literature cited

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, The University, DD1 4HN, Dundee, Scotland

    J. M. Baxter

  2. Marine Biology Station, Queen's University Belfast, The Strand, Portaferry, County Down, Northern Ireland

    J. M. Baxter

  3. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, 6140, Grahamstown, South Africa

    A. N. Hodgson

  4. Department of Dental Surgery, The University, DD1 4HN, Dundee, Scotland

    M. G. Sturrock

Authors
  1. J. M. Baxter
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  2. A. N. Hodgson
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  3. M. G. Sturrock
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Additional information

Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban

Please address all correspondence to Dr. Baxter at his second address in Northern Ireland

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Baxter, J.M., Hodgson, A.N. & Sturrock, M.G. Variations in infestation rates of Lepidochitona cinereus (Polyplacophora) by Minchinia chitonis (Sporozoa) in twelve populations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Marine Biology 102, 107–117 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391328

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391328

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