Seasonal dynamics of zebra mussel parasite populations

Abstract

AB Aquatic Biology Contact the journal Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections AB 15:145-151 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00418 Seasonal dynamics of zebra mussel parasite populations Laëtitia Minguez, Laure Giambérini* Laboratoire des Interactions, Ecotoxicologie, Biodiversité, Ecosystèmes (LIEBE), CNRS UMR 7146, Université de Lorraine, Campus Bridoux, Rue du Général Delestraint, 57070 Metz, France *Email: giamb@univ-metz.fr ABSTRACT: The seasonal dynamics of 8 parasite taxa in zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha were studied in the Meuse River (NE France) over a 3 yr period. In total, 69.5% of sampled organisms were infected. Among observed parasite species, Ophryoglena spp. and to a lesser extent Rickettsiales-like organisms (RLOs) displayed seasonal dynamics, with lower prevalence during warmer months negatively correlated with gonadal development in the host, water temperature and phytoplankton concentration. Furthermore, this study highlights a positive correlation between the prevalence rates of Ophryoglena spp. and RLOs. No temporal variations were observed for the ciliates Sphenophrya dreissenae and Conchophthirus acuminatus. Concerning trematode infection, no defined seasonal pattern was observed. Thus, for more reliability in future biomonitoring studies involving zebra mussels, it will be important to include the influence of parasites and their temporal dynamics. KEY WORDS: Parasitism · Season · Dreissena polymorpha · Biomonitoring Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Minguez L, Giambérini L (2012) Seasonal dynamics of zebra mussel parasite populations. Aquat Biol 15:145-151. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00418 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AB Vol. 15, No. 2. Online publication date: May 15, 2012 Print ISSN: 1864-7782; Online ISSN: 1864-7790 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.