Can a relatively few common mergansers have an important swimmers itch impact on a large recreational lake?
Absolutely, because mergansers are heavily infected and because there is a high prevalence of infections in them. Also, common mergansers are very mobile. In addition, one must consider the dynamics of the life cycle. For example, if one miracidium infects a snail, that intermediate host (after approximately 30 days) will produce several thousand cercariae every day it lives. Fortunately, only a small percentage of the miracidia every contact a suitable snail.
Related Questions
- Is it legal to shoot common mergansers or other species of waterfowl that harbor parasites that cause swimmers itch?
- Can a relatively few common mergansers have an important swimmers itch impact on a large recreational lake?
- What is the impact of such a large volume of water containing tritium when it enters the lake?
