Influence of Marine Protected Areas on parasitic prevalence: the case of the isopod Anilocra physodes as a parasite of the fish Lithognathus mormyrus. (21st April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Navarro‐Barranco, C.; Tierno de Figueroa, J. M.; Ros, M.; Guerra García, J. M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoology. Volume 308:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2019-04-21
• Subjects: Parasitic Crustacea -- Cymothoidae -- Sparidae -- marine reserve -- host‐parasite interaction -- Mediterranean -- Marine Protected Area -- parasitic prevalence; Zoology -- Periodicals; Zoologie -- Périodiques; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-8369

Abstract

Abstract: The effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the conservation of species, habitats, and processes has been largely studied. However, although parasites play a key role in the ecology of marine ecosystems, the effect of MPAs on host‐parasite relationships remains poorly understood. In order to characterize prevalence and host specificity of the widely distributed parasitic isopod Anilocra physodes, as well as the effect of MPAs on these parameters, a study based on visual census of fishes (repeated at two different study periods) and angling was conducted in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean). Despite the wide diversity of potential hosts, A. physodes was only found associated with the sparid fish Lithognathus mormyrus . A significant relationship between the length of the host and the parasite was detected. While similar host densities were recorded inside and outside the MPA, parasitic prevalence was significantly lower inside the MPA. These differences among MPAs and non‐MPAs in parasite prevalence and host availability, as well as the strong host specificity pattern, were consistent throughout time. Anthropogenic pressures, host size, and cleaning interactions are proposed to be potential factors involved in the observed lower parasitization levels inside the MPA. This study highlights that the protection status of marine areas can drive constant changes in parasitic prevalence. Abstract : This study highlights that the protection status of marine areas can drive constant changes in parasitic prevalence. Contrary to our initial expectations (higher fish densities have been traditionally related with increased transmission efficiency and prevalence of parasites), parasite infestation was lower inside the MPA. This was a constant pattern over the two study periods considered (2011 and 2018). Moreover, despite the wide diversity of potential hosts, A. physodes was only found associated with the sparid fish L. mormyrus .