Project: Epidemiology of Whirling Disease and the Effects of Habitat Restoration on Infection Rates and Disease Severity in Trout: An Integrated Study of the Rock Creek Drainage, Montana

Primary Investigator: Willard Granath
Project Summary: This project was an assessment of the relationship between whirling disease infection in trout and in the alternate worm host throughout a single drainage. Results indicated that severe habitat degradation is not necessary in order to complete the parasite life cycle through the two hosts, although infections in both hosts were more intense in degraded areas of the stream. Sampling of trout and worm populations to evaluate effects of habitat restoration was begun. Further work has indicated the presence of three genotypes of worms in the stream system, although only one was found to be infected with M. cerebralis.
Funding Period: 2000-2001
Final Report: granath_00-01.pdf
Dataset(s) associated with this project:

Severity of infection in sentinel trout

Susceptibility of T. tubifex to M. cerebralis infection

Habitat assessments at Rock Creek sites

Prevalence of M. cerebralis infection in T. tubifex

Mean water temperature at sentinel cages in Rock Creek

Water temperature at Rock Creek sites

Water quality measurements in the Rock Creek drainage