The effect of foraging and ontogeny on the prevalence and intensity of the invasive parasite Anguillicola crassus in the European eel Anguilla anguilla

Barry, J., Dodd, J.A., Evans, D., Newton, J. and Adams, C.E. (2017) The effect of foraging and ontogeny on the prevalence and intensity of the invasive parasite Anguillicola crassus in the European eel Anguilla anguilla. Journal of Fish Diseases, 40(9), pp. 1213-1222. (doi: 10.1111/jfd.12596) (PMID:28084623)

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Abstract

Infection patterns of the invasive Anguillicola crassus nematode were investigated in a population of the European eel Anguilla anguilla where parasite invasion is very recent, Loch Lomond, Scotland. Intensity levels of the parasite were associated with differences in fish ontogeny and trophic ecology. Although eels foraged on both fish and invertebrates, individuals which were smaller and fed on invertebrates (>70% contribution to diet) were found to contain a greater number of swim bladder parasites compared to larger eel with a predominance of fish (>60% contribution) in their diet. Within affected fish, a significant negative relationship was found between fish length and parasite intensity, with smaller individuals having higher parasite intensity than larger individuals. This study indicates that food intake and infection risk are linked in this recently infected host–parasite system. From a management perspective increasing our understanding of how infection intensity and repeated exposure is linked to resource use in an ecosystem is important for the future management of this endangered species in Europe.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by funding from theEuropean Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme(project 2859 ‘IBIS’). Stable isotope analysis was undertaken at the NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility SUERC East Kilbride Glasgow G750QF UK: award codeEK212-06/13
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newton, Dr Jason and Barry, Dr James and Dodd, Dr Jennifer and Adams, Professor Colin
Authors: Barry, J., Dodd, J.A., Evans, D., Newton, J., and Adams, C.E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Fish Diseases
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0140-7775
ISSN (Online):1365-2761
Published Online:13 January 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Fish Diseases 40(9):1213-1222
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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