Effects of natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors on disease and host–parasite interactions in marine ecosystems
Marcogliese, D.J.; Blanar, C.A.; Locke, S.A. (2026). Effects of natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors on disease and host–parasite interactions in marine ecosystems, in: Byers, J.E. et al. The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series, : pp. 203-234. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.003.0012
In: Byers, J.E.; Blakeslee, A.M.H.; Wares, J.P. (Ed.) (2026). The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. ISBN 9780197790809. 376 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.001.0001, more
In: Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. , more
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| Author keywords |
natural stressor, anthropogenic stressor, combined stressor, indicator, salinity, acidification, eutrophication, contaminant, fishing |
| Authors | | Top |
- Marcogliese, D.J.
- Blanar, C.A.
- Locke, S.A.
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| Abstract |
Parasites and pathogens are affected by natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors. Such stressors may act directly on waterborne pathogens, ectoparasites, and free-living stages of parasites and act indirectly on both ecto- and endoparasites, by altering host availability, immunocompetence, or susceptibility. Meta-analyses have shown that stressor responses vary depending on both the type of parasite and the type of stressor. Generally, however, parasites that increase in abundance in response to stressors are pathogenic and have simple life cycles, while overall environmental stress leads to a decline in parasite species richness. Current literature includes assessment of how stressors both natural (temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen, weather extremes) and anthropogenic (contaminants, eutrophication, exploitation) act on parasites and parasite–host interactions against a backdrop of anthropogenic climate change and shifts in landscape use. Furthermore, many natural stressors will be exacerbated by climate change. Universal rules governing parasite responses to stressors remain elusive, partly because stressors rarely act alone: hosts and their parasites are often exposed simultaneously to multiple stressors, rendering predictions difficult. Furthermore, because parasites themselves are natural stressors on hosts, the combined effects of parasites and environmental stressors on hosts may be additive, synergistic, neutral, or antagonistic. Because of their sensitivity to environmental stressors and (in many parasites) dependence on trophic interactions among multiple hosts, parasites are often advocated as indicators of environmental stress and ecosystem recovery. |
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