BILATERAL ASYMMETRY OF DIPLOSTOMUM INFECTIONS IN THE EYES OF LAKE WHITEFISH COREGONUS-CLUPEAFORMIS (MITCHILL) AND A COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF THE OBSERVED METACERCARIAL DISTRIBUTION

Abstract. Fifty‐four per cent of the specimens in a sample of 147 lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from northern Quebec exhibited a pronounced lack of bilateral symmetry in the distribution of metacercariae of the genus Diplostomum. This asymmetry was shown not to be a product of chance. A comparable degree of asymmetry was generated by a computer simulation incorporating a positive feedback mechanism. The simulation and the biological significance of such asymmetry are discussed. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved