Transmission dynamics of the actinospore stage of Ceratomyxa shasta to the salmonid host were investigated under field
and laboratory conditions. The number of parasites transmitted and the transmission rate were compared between 2
different exposure durations and also among different water velocities, by means of field exposures. Under laboratory
conditions, the number of parasites transmitted and the transmission rates were compared across a broader range of
water velocities and also at different water temperatures. Transmission rate was not constant over time as the number
of parasites transmitted increased non-linearly between the 2 exposure durations. Transmission was also inversely
related to water velocity and there was a threshold to transmission between 0·2–0·3ms−1. Lastly, transmission rate
increased with water temperature up to 18 °C then decreased at 23 °C. These experiments provide a range of values
of transmission that will be incorporated into an epidemiological model to simulate the effectiveness of different
management strategies. Additionally, these experiments provided novel information on the effects of environmental
conditions (i.e. water velocity and water temperature) on the transmission dynamics between the salmonid host and the
actinospore stage.

Authors: 
Ray, R. A. & J. L. Bartholomew
Product Number: 
ORESU-R-13-009
Source (Journal Article): 
Parasitology
DOI Number (Journal Article): 
10.1017/S0031182013000127
Year of Publication: 
2013
Length: 
10 pp.
Size and Format: 
8 1/2 x 11, online