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The relations between mites of the genus Unionicola and the mussels Anodonta and Unio

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Abstract

The locations in mussels of four species of watermites, Unionicola aculeata, U. bonzi, U. intermedia and U. ypsilophora and their degrees of parasitism have been compared. Unionicola aculeata and U. bonzi do not live parasitic and need Anodonta anatina and Unio pictorum respectively as a shelter for their transformation stages. Unionicola intermedia and U. ypsilophora live parasitic on the gills of Anodonta anatina and A. cygnea respectively. Every female of Unionicola ypsilophora has a territory in the mussel, as contrasted with U. intermedia, many females of which are found together. The consequences for the population density are discussed.

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Authors
  1. C. Davids
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Zoological Laboratory, University of Amsterdam

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Davids, C. The relations between mites of the genus Unionicola and the mussels Anodonta and Unio. Hydrobiologia 41, 37–44 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014734

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014734

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