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Contenu archivé le 2022-12-23

Evaluating the effect of an invasive species on local mullet communities in the Mediterranean: A parasite community approach

Objectif

Project no 5998: Revised summary

The project aims to contribute to understanding the effects on the host-parasite community equilibrium in local communities of sympatric naïve mullet hosts (Mugilidae) of a recently initiated, ongoing invasion in the Mediterranean basin by the soiuy mullet, Mugil soiuy. The project will document and analyse the dynamics and interactions in this marine vertebrate host-parasite system and develop a methodology for monitoring the transition sequence of an invasive fish species using parasite communities as invasion response indicators. The novelty of this study is in the application of a quantitative comparative approach at two hierarchical community levels (parasite infra- and component communities) and several nested scales along a spatial gradient which represents the native range of M. soiuy (Sea of Japan) and the invasion transition gradient (Azov Sea - Black Sea - Mediterranean Sea) in the Mediterranean basin. The methodology of the study will place emphasis on: (i) Standardised approach: application of standardised sampling protocols and methods; taxonomic consistency of parasite identification will be ensured by a detailed study of the morphology and taxonomy of the main groups of mullet parasites; (ii) Quantitative approach: assessment of parasite population levels and dispersion patterns in hosts; application of adequate measures of community diversity and structure; statistical hypothesis testing based on quantitative replicated measurements, individual hosts will be treated as replicate habitats; (iii) Comparative approach: a factorial sampling design will be adopted allowing a comparative analysis of parasite community structure, transmission dynamics and resource partitioning with respect to both temporal and spatial scales.

The deductive approach to bioinvasion using parasites as a tool for hazard assessment (focused on native mullet communities in the Mediterranean), which will be applied in this study, will be based on quantitative data from associated marine regions with a previous invasion history (Azov Sea and Black Sea) and from the host's native range (Sea of Japan). One important benefit of the present project is gathering novel, quantitative data of the levels of parasitism at the pre-invasion state of mullet communities in the Mediterranean. The application of a standardised methodology will allow direct comparisons in future surveys, which will help to evaluate the types of change that follow an eventual successful invasion of M. soiuy, thus avoiding the hindering effect of the lack of pre-invasion data. Overall, the wealth of data that will be gathered at different hierarchical levels within the framework of the spatial and temporal scales, holds real promise for elucidation of determinants of community structure of parasites in mullets and for generalisations of heuristic value, assessing the importance of resource partitioning by parasites in both time and space.

Appel à propositions

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Régime de financement

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Coordinateur

University of Valencia Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology
Contribution de l’UE
Aucune donnée
Adresse
Poligono de la Coma 1
46071 Valencia,
Espagne

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Coût total
Aucune donnée

Participants (4)