Ecological effects of larval trematode infestation on littoral marine invertebrate populations

Abstract

Evidence is presented that, contrary to common scientific “belief”, larva digeneans have profound effects on various components at various levels of the littoral marine ecosystem. Their ecological capacity includes: —Reduction of the breeding potential of host populations by “parasitic castration”; —Structural modification of host populations by generation of erratic growth patterns, size-class differential mortality and “negative growth”; —Induction of host-population mortality and control by increased susceptibility to environmental stress; —Induction of changes in community structure by removal of hosts from their normal trophic levels; —Interference with major energy-flow pathways by precocious removal of hosts from their normal food-web position; —Interference with host-biomass, production and turnover-rate estimations by by-passing of hostassimilated energy; —Interference with predator-prey systems by affecting either component(s) of such systems. The notorious neglect of these factors by marine ecologists and, even more, their total unawareness of the effects these factors produce, raise serious doubts about the validity of marine ecological data and concepts. For the parasitologist, on the other hand, the study of ecological aspects of marine parasite (digenean) biology may open new avenues of research. With a true synthesis of both scientific disciplines, we may eventually arrive at a point where “more complete knowledge of life cycles will permit more intelligent and more effective regulatory methods, the reduction of morbidity, the advancement of health, and the conservation of natural resources.” The latter statement has not been cited from a recent issue of a scientific journal; it has been written down as long as 46 (!) years ago by one of the most outstanding investigators of marine digenean life cycles—Horace W. Stunkard (1940, p 15), but has lost nothing of its actuality. It is hoped that Stunkard's far-sighted words might encourage parasitologists to devote some of their scientific power and skill to the study of marine ecoparasitological problems—for the sake of a better understanding of ecological processes and to the benefit of the endangered marine life.