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Differentially susceptible host fishes exhibit similar chemo-attractiveness to a common coral reef Ectoparasite.

Authors :
Vondriska, Clayton
Dixson, Danielle L.
Packard, Amber J.
Sikkel, Paul C.
Source :
Symbiosis (03345114); Jul2020, Vol. 81 Issue 3, p247-253, 7p
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Gnathiid isopods are common crustacean parasites that inhabit all oceans from shorelines to depths of over 3000 m and use chemical cues to find their marine fish hosts. While gnathiids are host-generalists, hosts vary in their susceptibility to infestation. However, the mechanisms that mediate differential susceptibility are unknown. Here we used a combination of field and laboratory experiments to investigate if the chemical attractiveness of hosts explains differences in susceptibility of Caribbean reef fishes to infestation by a common Caribbean gnathiid isopod, Gnathia marleyi. We showed that while G. marleyi can detect and locate hosts using only chemical cues, they do not exhibit a preference for chemical cues produced by more susceptible fish species. We conclude that species-specific chemical cues are not the main mechanism driving differences in host susceptibility to gnathiid isopod infestation and that visual or post-attachment factors such as ease of obtaining a blood meal are likely mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03345114
Volume :
81
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Symbiosis (03345114)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
145433332
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-020-00700-0