Observations on the bionomy of Allocreadium isoporum (Looss, 1894) (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae).

From October 1985 until July 1987, the bionomy of the trematode Allocreadium isoporum (Looss, 1894) was studied in the Rokytná River (the Danube basin), Czechoslovakia. While clams of the genera Sphaerium Scopoli and Pisidium Pfeiffer apparently serve as its first intermediate hosts, mayfly larvae Ephemera danica Müll. were found (prevalence 8%, intensity 1-5 metacercariae per mayfly) to be the only second intermediate host of A. isoporum in the locality. The most important definitive host is chub, Leuciscus cephalus (L.), in which the seasonal dynamics of A. isoporum occurrence and maturation was followed. The parasite exhibits here a distinct seasonal cycle of maturation which is shown mainly by quantitative changes in the ratio of young to mature worms containing eggs. The trematodes containing eggs occur almost throughout the year, but mainly in the spring and early summer (maximum in May), and after the oviposition they leave the host. New infections are acquired by chub all the year round. This seasonal periodicity is determined by ecological factors, mainly the temperature regime in the locality. A isoporum infections in chub in this locality are dependent on the body size of host fishes; the highest degree of A. isoporum infection occurs in fishes 20-25 cm long, the prevalence decreasing somewhat in larger fishes; infection is associated with changes in the food composition of chub of different size groups.