An ecological study of the branchiobdellid commensals (Annelida-Branchiobdellidae) of some mid-western Ontario crayfish

Abstract

Orconectes propinquus and Cambarus robustus from the Speed River, Sunfish Lake, and Laurel Creek, harbor two branchiobdellids, Cambarincola chirocephala and Pterodrilus distichus. Both adult and cocoon populations of the dominant species (C. chirocephala) are proportional to the size of the host throughout the year, except that first-year crayfish are free of cocoons. The reduction in total number of commensals from autumn to spring can be attributed to severe winter conditions. A subrostral site of preference for adult branchiobdellid attachment, and a dominant abdomen I and II site for cocoon deposition are indicated for O. propinquus. On C. robustus, adults are most commonly found on the antennal bases and among the maxillipeds, and cocoons on the last live abdominal sternites. No host specificity is evident although an unidentified Cambarus sp. from Sunfish Lake is free of commensals. Host incompatibility may explain this, but data from Laurel Creek indicate that silting of the microhabitat is responsible for loss of branchiobdellid population. The crayfish–branchiobdellid relationship is commensal, or at most facultatively parasitic, as adult worms can live without a host for extended periods. Serological testing of rabbit serum containing branchiobdellid antibodies against crayfish serum is negative. The dependence of the egg stage on the host for some undetermined factor or factors is discussed. An Asellus sp. fails to pick up the commensals even when exposed under ideal conditions for colonization.