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Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night
Published on: December 29, 2021
Light pollution may alter host-parasite interactions in aquatic ecosystems
1Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract:
With growing human populations living along freshwater shores and marine coastlines, aquatic ecosystems are experiencing rising levels of light pollution. Through its effects on hosts and parasites, anthropogenic light at night can disrupt host-parasite interactions evolved under a normal photoperiod. Yet its impact on aquatic parasites has been ignored to date. Here, I discuss the direct effects of light on the physiology and behaviour of parasite infective stages and their hosts. I argue that night-time lights can change the spatiotemporal dynamics of infection risk and drive the rapid evolution of parasites. I then highlight knowledge gaps and how impacts on parasitic diseases should be incorporated into the design of measures aimed at mitigating the impact of anthropogenic light on wildlife.
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