EXAMPLES OF THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF SOME PARASITES AND THE NICHE OF THE HOST AMPHIBIAN

Abstract

SUMMARY Some species of Polystomes (Monogenea), parasitic on amphibians strictly confined to the equatorial forest, present reproductive life cycle adapted to the dryness. A study of the hosts' biology shows that they have effectively conquered forest habitats where the aridity is notorious. It is demonstrated that the mode of transmission of the parasites is closely adapted to the hosts' niche and is therefore a good index of niche separation among sympatric amphibians.