Examining the area effect for parasite communities of bluegill x green sunfish hybrids in five constructed ponds in Kansas.

Abstract

The parasite communities of bluegill x green sunfish hybrids were examined from 5 constructed ponds in Kansas in an attempt to evaluate the separate effects of habitat area and habitat heterogeneity on parasite community structure. Characterization of fish community structure and collection of hybrid fishes was conducted using an electrofishing boat. Benthic invertebrates were sampled, and substrate types examined at 30 evenly spaced points in each pond. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling of the parasite infracommunities, in concert with an analysis of similarities, indicated significant clustering of infracommunities by locality. The number and diversity of habitat types, and the richness and diversity of both fishes and benthic invertebrates, were positively correlated with the first axis of the infracommunity ordination. Pond surface area, parasite richness, and stocking pressure were negatively correlated with the first axis of the infracommunity ordination, suggesting that pond area, stocking pressure, or both was a stronger determinant of parasite community structure in these systems than habitat and host heterogeneity.