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Insights into fish host-parasite trophic relationships revealed by stable isotope analysis

Lookup NU author(s): John Pinnegar, Professor Nick Polunin

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Abstract

Trophic relationships between 10 species of fish host and their associated nematode, cestode, and copepod parasites were investigated using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Nematodes and cestodes were consistently depleted in 15N with respect to their host, and such fractionation patterns are unlike those conventionally observed between consumers and their diets. Species of copepod parasite were sometimes depleted and sometimes enriched in 15N with respect to fish hosts, and this confirms earlier reports that the nature and magnitude of ectoparasite-host fractionations can vary. Significant differences in δ15N and δ13C were observed among fish tissues, and the isotopic signature of parasites did not always closely correspond to that of the tissue with which the parasite was found most closely associated, or on which the parasite was thought to be feeding. Several possible explanations are considered for such discrepancies, including selective feeding on specific amino acids or lipids, migration of the parasite among different fish tissues, changes in the metabolism of the parasite associated with life history and migration between different host animals.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Deudero S, Pinnegar JK, Polunin NVC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Year: 2002

Volume: 52

Issue: 1

Pages: 77-86

ISSN (print): 0177-5103

ISSN (electronic): 1616-1580

Publisher: Inter-Research

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao052077

DOI: 10.3354/dao052077

PubMed id: 12517008

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