Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2019 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference! Please note, this event has passed. To return to the main Conference website, go to: www.midwestfw.org.
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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UPDATES & CHANGES: As a result of the prolonged government shutdown, we experienced a number of cancellations and changes to the schedule. Cancellations and changes are listed here (as of January 26, 2019).
AUTHORS. Emily K. Tucker, Dominique Krason, Cory D. Suski – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ABSTRACT. White grub (Postodiplostomum minimum) is a common parasitic trematode in freshwater fishes, especially bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). This study examines the impacts of a severe white grub outbreak in bluegill sunfish from a pond in Urbana, Illinois. 110 infected bluegill were examined. We noted that many of the affected bluegill had small red sores on their fins and bodies, and the number of sores was correlated with the intensity of trematode metacercariae on the internal organs. Some fish also showed signs of cataracts or eye damage. The most heavily affected organs were the heart and posterior kidney, though the head kidney, liver, and spleen also contained many metacercariae. Histologically, the metacercariae caused morphological damage to the internal organs that would likely reduce functionality of the organs, especially in the heart and kidney. Hematocrit in the infected fish was slightly lower, corresponding with the damage induced on the hematopoietic organs. Our results suggest that white grub can cause severe damage to the circulatory and immune systems of bluegill, and fisheries managers should be aware of the signs of severe outbreaks in ponds.
