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Interactions between hosts and parasites in Palaearctic coastal ecosystems: interpretation and modelling of the mussel/bird predator system

Ziel

This project will investigate the 'mussel/parasite/bird' system, which is an important aspect of the biology of coastal communities across the entire Palearctic. Mussels, being intermediate hosts for many parasites, act as a significant food and parasite source for marine and coastal birds (waders, gulls, diving ducks). Parasites can influence the population dynamics of mussels as well as those of their final hosts, birds. We will investigate geographical and local variations in mussel biology in Western Europe (Ireland, Iceland, Norway), European Russia (Barents and White seas) and Russian Far East (Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea) to study parasite flow through mussel populations in different geographical areas and localities including sites with different anthropogenic pressures. The investigation will include parasite influence on mussel viability, reproduction, behaviour and metabolism and will estimate the capacity of the mussel internal defence system to resist parasites under various environmental conditions including natural changes (e.g. climate) and anthropogenic contamination. The role of mussels in the diet of marine and coastal birds in different seasons and geographical areas and the influence of parasites transmitted via mussels on the metabolism and immunological parameters of birds will be studied. Importantly, seasonal dynamics of the energy value available for marine and coastal birds foraging on mussels in distinct regions will be assessed. The project will integrate field-work (sampling of mussels, ornithological observations) with experimental and laboratory studies. Mussels will be sampled seasonally across geographical regions from sites with different environmental conditions. Condition indices, energy content, contamination status and population parameters of mussels will be determined. Species composition of parasites will be calculated for all mussel samples. Infected and uninfected mussels will be tested to determine their resistance to stressful environmental factors. Functional activity of hemocytes, role of lectins and reactive oxygen intermediates in response to parasite infection will be estimated to assess innate immunity of mussels against parasites. Parasite influence on final hosts will be investigated by comparative analysis of protein and lipid metabolism and by immunological tests. Life history theory will be applied to model the interactions between the main components of the 'mussel/parasite/bird' system at different latitudes. This study will provide vast amounts of information on the role of mussels in the population dynamics of marine birds such as Eiders and this information will be used to construct and verify models of the interactions. The influence of parasites, frequently ignored in bird distribution and population studies, is crucial to an understanding of the mechanisms involved in the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and their vulnerability to climate change.

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UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN, TRINITY COLLEGE
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COLLEGE GREEN
DUBLIN
Irland

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Letzte Aktualisierung: 16 März 2017

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/INTAS2005-1000008-8056/de

European Union, 2024