Project: Distribution and Seasonal Occurrence of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Lostine River, Oregon

Primary Investigator: Jerri Bartholomew
Project Summary: This continuing research on the ecology of the parasite in the northeastern Oregon Lostine River may be particularly significant because six salmonid species are present, two of which are anadromous. The high incidence of infection in sentinel fry receiving a short exposure between July and April suggests that the fry of rainbow and steelhead trout, and Chinook salmon, are likely to experience a significant level of infection. However, the population effects may be minimal in an infected area. This may be the result of less worm habitat and lower fish density than in other affected rivers. The loss of the parasite stages to the Pacific Ocean in the anadromous hosts may also play a role.
Funding Period: 1998-1999
Final Report: Bartholomew_98-99b.pdf
Dataset(s) associated with this project:

Relative abundance of T. tubifex at Lostine River (OR) sites

Controlled exposure of fry to M. cerebralis TAMs

Water quality measurements in the Lostine River (OR)

Natural exposure of sentinel rainbow trout to M. cerebralis