Is Host Ectoparasite Load Related to Echeneid Fish Presence?

Gonzalo R Mucientes,Nuno Queiroz,Juerg M Brunnschweiler,Simon J Pierce,Ivan Sazima

doi:10.1155/2008/107576

Abstract

This study used field data of echeneid and ectoparasite associations with free-swimming whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and captured mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) to test whether (1) echeneid presence was positively correlated with ectoparasite presence; and (2) the number of ectoparasites was negatively correlated with the number of echeneid fish. Data from whale and mako sharks do not support the first hypothesis whereas data from mako sharks yields support for the second hypothesis. The results indicate that echeneids do regulate the number of ectoparasites on at least some host species, but these benefits may be contingent on the echeneid species.

Highlights

Remora or diskfish species of the family Echeneidae can be found on a wide variety of hosts including teleost fishes, marine mammals, turtles, sharks, and even conspecifics [1, 2]
This study used field data of echeneid and ectoparasite associations with free-swimming whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and captured mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) to test whether (1) echeneid presence was positively correlated with ectoparasite presence; and (2) the number of ectoparasites was negatively correlated with the number of echeneid fish
The results indicate that echeneids do regulate the number of ectoparasites on at least some host species, but these benefits may be contingent on the echeneid species

Summary

Introduction

Remora or diskfish species of the family Echeneidae can be found on a wide variety of hosts including teleost fishes, marine mammals, turtles, sharks, and even conspecifics [1, 2]. This relationship is widely known, but the costs and benefits of this interaction for the echeneids and their hosts remain poorly understood [1, 3,4,5]. This study presents data on echeneid and ectoparasite presence from two shark host species.

Methods

Results

Conclusion