Abstract
Studies on marine community structure and their modulation by horizontal and vertical abiotic gradients have focused on free-living species, neglecting parasites despite their important role in ecosystems. Field observations, a laboratory flume experiment and modelling were used to examine parasite infection patterns related to host tidal and spatial position along a Portuguese coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro). Cockles (Cerastoderma edule) and trematodes were used as a host-parasite model to test the hypotheses: (1) higher infection levels in subtidal cockles, positioned downstream and (2) higher current velocity in downstream areas with consequent higher cockle infection. Cockles were collected from two spatial and tidal positions in two seasons. The relationship between current velocity and cockle infection was examined experimentally by exposing cockles to cercariae of Himasthla elongata at two current velocities. Intertidal cockles displayed higher infection, highlighting vertical position as an important driver of infection possibly due to first host proximity and/or trematode life cycle facilitation (higher cockle exposure to final host predation). The hydrodynamic model showed that the Ria de Aveiro was abiotically heterogenous with cockles displaying higher infection levels in the downstream area. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between salinity, dissolved oxygen, current velocity and trematode abundance. The influence of current velocity on infection success was corroborated experimentally. The present study demonstrated the importance of host vertical and horizontal position on trematode infection, highlighting the positive influence of current velocity by supporting settlement and promoting favourable abiotic conditions.
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Funding
Simão Correia and Luísa Magalhães benefited from research fellowships funded by INTERREG-ATLANTIC program through the research project COCKLES (EAPA_458/2016 COCKLES Co-Operation for Restoring CocKle SheLlfisheries and its Ecosystem-Services in the Atlantic Area). Rosa Freitas and Rui Rocha were funded by national funds (OE), through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. This work was supported by the research project COCKLES (EAPA_458/2016 COCKLES Co-Operation for Restoring CocKle SheLlfisheries and its Ecosystem-Services in the Atlantic Area). Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020+UIDP/50017/2020), through national funds.
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Correia, S., Picado, A., de Montaudouin, X. et al. Parasite Assemblages in a Bivalve Host Associated with Changes in Hydrodynamics. Estuaries and Coasts 44, 1036–1049 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00848-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00848-4