The Tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus Alters the Activity and Response, but Not the Predation Susceptibility of Infected Copepods

Cyclops abyssorum and Cyclops scutifer were experimentally infected with procercoids of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus, then examined for altered behavior and susceptibility to predation, respectively. Infected C. abyssorum differed from uninfected controls in their initial response to disturbance and their degree of activity but only when they harbored procercoids that were potentially infective to the next host. To examine the possible consequence of the altered behavior for susceptibility to predation, three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were offered equal numbers of infected and uninfected C. scutifer. Infected copepods were not preyed upon significantly more than controls.