Parasite Assemblages in a Bivalve Host Associated with Changes in Hydrodynamics
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Parasite Assemblages in a Bivalve Host Associated with Changes in Hydrodynamics Simão Correia 1 & Ana Picado 2 & Xavier de Montaudouin 3 & Rosa Freitas 1 & Rui J. M. Rocha 1 & João M. Dias 2 & Luísa Magalhães 1 Received: 24 March 2020 / Revised: 29 September 2020 / Accepted: 8 October 2020 # Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 2020
Abstract Studies on marine community structure and their modulation by horizontal and vertical abiotic gradients have focused on freeliving 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. Keywords Cockles . Trematode parasites . Tidal position . Abiotic drivers . Cerastoderma edule
Introduction The ecological functioning of Atlantic semi-sheltered ecosystems, such as coastal lagoons and estuaries, is commonly driven by abiotic factors that follow gradients with horizontal Communicated by Patricia Ramey-Balci Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-02000848-4. * Luísa Magalhães [email protected] 1
Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
2
Departamento de Física & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
3
Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, UMR 5805, Station Marine, 2 rue du Pr Jolyet, F-33120 Arcachon, France
and vertical dimensions. The horizontal dimension, related to ocean connection and to freshwater inputs
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