Parasite distribution, prevalence, and assemblages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, in Southwestern Alabama, U.S.A.
Comparative Parasitology
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Abstract
The grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, harbors a number of symbionts within its North American range. Here, we document the distribution and seasonality of 4 taxonomic groups that use P. pugio as a host in coastal Alabama. We conducted a regional survey of 4 symbionts of P. pugio over 3 seasons and compared assemblages across space and time. The most common parasite was the metacercarial stage of the microphallid trematode Microphallus turgidus, which remained consistently prevalent over the 3 seasons surveyed. We also monitored the prevalence of M. turgidus at 2 sites monthly. Prevalence fluctuated significantly among seasons at these sites, but spatial heterogeneity appears to have a stronger influence on regional parasite prevalence. Distributions of 3 of 4 symbionts overlapped in a single geographic area (Mon Louis Island, Alabama, U.S.A.); however, multispecies infections of individual hosts were normally distributed within host populations. Sites surrounding Mon Louis Island had substantially higher parasite prevalence, particularly in the summer months. This area had a high quantity of Spartina marsh habitat, which we found influenced parasite prevalence, suggesting a role for wetland habitat in structuring parasite communities for this host.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Parasite distribution, prevalence, and assemblages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, in Southwestern Alabama, U.S.A. |
| Series title | Comparative Parasitology |
| DOI | 10.1654/4427.1 |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Helminthological Society of Washington |
| Publisher location | Lawrence, KS |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 245 |
| Last page | 256 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Other Geospatial | Mon Louis Island |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |