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Trematode recolonization in first intermediate snail hosts after large-scale stream restoration
Annabell Hüsken1,2, Jessica Schwelm3,4, Bernd Sures3,4,5
1Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141, Essen, Germany. annabell.huesken@uni-due.de.
Parasites & Vectors
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Parasites rapidly recolonized a restored river, with trematode communities showing high spatial variation. Early assemblages were shaped by host dispersal and regional species, not parasite life cycles or host specificity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- Restoration Ecology
Background:
- Parasite recolonization patterns in restored freshwater ecosystems are understudied.
- The Emscher River restoration offers a unique case study for early parasite succession dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trematode recolonization and community dynamics in the restored Emscher River.
- To analyze factors influencing early parasite assemblage structure.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed trematodes in first intermediate snail hosts via seasonal sampling.
- Utilized morphological and molecular methods for species identification.
- Analyzed community dynamics using abundance, alpha-diversity, and beta-diversity.
Main Results:
- 16 trematode species were found in 1511 snails (12 species), with 7.8% overall prevalence.
- Trematode infections began with native snail host establishment, particularly Ampullaceana balthica.
- Snail and trematode communities exhibited high spatial heterogeneity and species turnover.
Conclusions:
- Rapid trematode recolonization occurred post-freshwater restoration.
- Early trematode assemblages are influenced by host dispersal and regional species pool.
- Further monitoring is needed to track long-term changes in infection patterns.
