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Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution
Published on: December 30, 2021
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Parasite diversity at isolated, disturbed hydrothermal vents
Lauren N Dykman1,2, Carolyn K Tepolt1, Armand M Kuris3
1Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA 02543, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|June 14, 2023
Summary
Deep-sea vents host fewer parasite species overall, challenging assumptions about extreme environments. Contrary to expectations, indirect life cycle parasites were not reduced, highlighting host diversity
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Parasitology
- Ecology
Background:
- Habitat isolation and disturbance influence biodiversity.
- The impact of these factors on parasite diversity across ecosystems is not well understood.
- Deep-sea hydrothermal vents represent an isolated, disturbed marine environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if isolated, disturbed ecosystems (hydrothermal vents) have reduced parasite richness and fewer indirect life cycle parasites (ILCs).
- To compare parasite fauna in hydrothermal vents with less isolated/disturbed (kelp forest) and isolated/undisturbed (atoll sandflat) ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed parasite fauna in the 9°50'N hydrothermal vent field.
- Compared findings with existing datasets from kelp forest and atoll sandflat ecosystems.
- Analyzed parasite richness within host species and total parasite richness, including ILC proportions.
Main Results:
- Parasite richness per host species did not differ significantly across ecosystems.
- Total parasite richness was lower in vents, attributed to fewer predatory fish species.
- The proportion of ILC parasites was not lower in vents, with a notable richness of trematodes.
Conclusions:
- Diverse parasite taxa can thrive in extreme environments like deep-sea vents.
- Host diversity and food web complexity are critical factors regulating parasite diversity.
- Findings challenge previous hypotheses regarding parasite diversity in isolated and disturbed habitats.
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