Biotic and abiotic drivers affect parasite richness, prevalence and abundance in Mytilus galloprovincialis along the Northern Adriatic Sea
Bommarito, C.; Wahl, M.; Thieltges, D.W.; Pansch, C.; Zucchetta, M.; Pranovi, F. (2022). Biotic and abiotic drivers affect parasite richness, prevalence and abundance in Mytilus galloprovincialis along the Northern Adriatic Sea. Parasitology 149(1): 15-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182021001438 In: Parasitology. Cambridge University Press: London. ISSN 0031-1820; e-ISSN 1469-8161, more |   |
| Keyword | Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 [WoRMS]
| | Author keywords | parasite; richness; prevalence; abundance; eutrophication; TRIX; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Adriatic |
| Authors | | Top | - Bommarito, C.
- Wahl, M.
- Thieltges, D.W., more
| - Pansch, C.
- Zucchetta, M.
- Pranovi, F.
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| Abstract | Although it is generally known that a combination of abiotic and biotic drivers shapes thedistribution and abundance of parasites, our understanding of the interplay of these factors remainsto be assessed for most marine host species. The present field survey investigated spatial patterns ofrichness, prevalence and abundance of parasites in Mytilus galloprovincialis along the coast of thenorthern Adriatic Sea. Herein, the relationships between biotic (host size, density and local parasiterichness of mussel population) and abiotic (eutrophication and salinity) drivers and parasite richnessof mussel individuals, prevalence and abundance were analysed. Local parasite richness was themost relevant factor driving parasite species richness in mussel individuals. Prevalence was mainlydriven by eutrophication levels in 3 out of 4 parasite species analysed. Similarly, abundance wasdriven mainly by eutrophication in two parasite species. Mussel size, density and salinity had onlyminor contributions to the best fitting models. This study highlights that the influence of abiotic andbiotic drivers on parasite infections in mussels can be differentially conveyed, depending on theinfection measure applied, i.e., parasite richness, prevalence or abundance. Furthermore, it stressesthe importance of eutrophication as a major factor influencing parasite prevalence and abundance inmussels in the Adriatic Sea. |
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