Publication Date:
2019
Description:
〈div data-abstract-type="normal"〉〈p〉The keystone role of Antarctic krill, 〈span〉Euphausia superba〈/span〉 Dana, in Southern Ocean ecosystems, means it is essential to understand the factors controlling their abundance and secondary production. One such factor that remains poorly known is the role of parasites. A recent study of krill diet using DNA analysis of gut contents provided a snapshot of the parasites present within 170 〈span〉E. superba〈/span〉 guts in a small area along the West Antarctic Peninsula. These parasites included 〈span〉Metschnikowia〈/span〉 spp. fungi, 〈span〉Haptoglossa〈/span〉 sp. peronosporomycetes, 〈span〉Lankesteria〈/span〉 and 〈span〉Paralecudina〈/span〉 spp. apicomplexa, 〈span〉Stegophorus〈/span〉 sp. nematodes, and 〈span〉Pseudocollinia〈/span〉 spp. ciliates. Of these parasites, 〈span〉Metschnikowia〈/span〉 spp. fungi and 〈span〉Pseudocollinia〈/span〉 spp. ciliates had previously been observed in 〈span〉E. superba〈/span〉, as had other genera of apicomplexans, though not 〈span〉Lankesteria〈/span〉 and 〈span〉Paralecudina.〈/span〉 In contrast, nematodes had previously only been observed in eggs of 〈span〉E. superba〈/span〉, and there are no literature reports of peronosporomycetes in euphausiids. 〈span〉Pseudocollinia〈/span〉 spp., parasitoids which obligately kill their host, were the most frequently observed infection, with a prevalence of 12%. The wide range of observed parasites and the relatively high frequency of infections suggest parasites may play a more important role than previously acknowledged in 〈span〉E. superba〈/span〉 ecology and population dynamics.〈/p〉〈/div〉
Print ISSN:
0954-1020
Electronic ISSN:
1365-2079
Topics:
Biology
,
Geography
,
Geosciences
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