
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Crossland, MR 
A1  - Collins, JD 
A1  - Alford, RA 
T1  - Host selection and distribution of <I>Hypermastus placentae</I> (Eulimidae), and ectoparasitic gastropod on the sand dollar <I>Arachnoides placenta</I> (Echinoidea)
JF  - Marine and Freshwater Research
JO  - Mar. Freshwater Res.
Y1  - 1993
VL  - 44
IS  - 6
SP  - 835
EP  - 844
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9930835 
N2  - The intertidal sand dollar Arachnoides placenta is parasitized by the eulimid Hypermastus  placentae at Pallarenda Beach, Townsville, Queensland. A. placenta is the only echinoderm  species in the region with which H. placentae associates. Sand dollars are distributed in an  aggregated pattern within the littoral zone at Pallarenda Beach, and the distribution of parasites  within the adult sand dollar population conforms closely to Poisson expectations. A. placenta  adults in all size classes are equally susceptible to parasitization by H. placentae, whereas  juveniles are not parasitized; host selection may be determined by a requirement for host  gonadal tissue in the diet of the parasite. Infestation rate and number of parasites per host  decrease as host density increases. Parasite body size is not related to host body size. 
ER  -

