Temporal stability of polymorphic Arctic charr parasite communities reflects sustained divergent trophic niches

Rochat, E. C., Paterson, R. A., Blasco‐Costa, I., Power, M., Adams, C. E. , Greer, R. and Knudsen, R. (2022) Temporal stability of polymorphic Arctic charr parasite communities reflects sustained divergent trophic niches. Ecology and Evolution, 12(11), e9460. (doi: 10.1002/ece3.9460) (PMID:36349257) (PMCID:PMC9636502)

Abstract

Polymorphic Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations frequently display distinct differences in habitat use, diet, and parasite communities. Changes to the relative species densities and composition of the wider fish community have the potential to alter the habitat niche of sympatric Arctic charr populations. This study evaluated the temporal stability of the parasite community, diet, and stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) of three sympatric Arctic charr morphs (piscivore, benthivore, and planktivore) from Loch Rannoch, Scotland, in relation to changes to the fish community. All Arctic charr morphs displayed distinct differences in parasite communities, diet, and stable isotope signatures over time, despite the establishment of four new trophically transmitted parasite taxa, and increased fish and zooplankton consumption by the piscivorous and planktivore morphs, respectively. Native parasite prevalence also increased in all Arctic charr morphs. Overall, Loch Rannoch polymorphic Arctic charr morph populations have maintained their distinct trophic niches and parasite communities through time despite changes in the fish community. This result indicates that re-stocking a native fish species has the potential to induce shifts in the parasite community and diet of Arctic charr morphs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The genetic analyses of Diplostomum were funded by the Cardiff University School of Biosciences Seedcorn Fund; AquaWales; the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement (no. 663830).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Adams, Professor Colin
• Authors: Rochat, E. C., Paterson, R. A., Blasco‐Costa, I., Power, M., Adams, C. E., Greer, R., and Knudsen, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Ecology and Evolution
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 2045-7758
• ISSN (Online): 2045-7758
• Published Online: 05 November 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published Ecology and Evolution 12(11): e9460
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
• Data DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3f2