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:SPF2av10 (2024)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14529

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Parasites of small pelagics reflect their role in marine ecosystems

Kym C. Jacobson1,*,#, David J. Marcogliese2,4,#, Ken MacKenzie3,#

1National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Newport, Oregon 97365, USA
2Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, St. Lawrence Centre, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2E7, Canada
3School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
4Present address: St. Andrews Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E5B 0E4, Canada
*Corresponding author:
#All authors contributed equally

ABSTRACT: Small pelagics occupy an intermediate trophic level in marine ecosystems, serving as prey for a variety of predators and thus playing a very important role in these ecosystems. This review collates information gleaned from parasitological studies of small pelagics (fish, squid and euphausiids) and describes the valuable biological information they can provide. We describe why parasitology studies are important and how they have contributed to our understanding of the role of small pelagics in marine ecosystems. Pertinent general patterns in marine parasite ecology relevant to trophic interactions in small pelagics, including variations in parasite faunas with features such as host size, depth distribution and feeding behaviour are synthesized. With their relatively long life spans relative to stomach contents and stable isotopes, trophically transmitted parasites can provide a unique dietary history for the host. Therefore, we summarize the trophically transmitted parasites found most frequently in small pelagics and assess the potential of different parasite taxa as indicators of host diet. The use of multiple techniques, including stomach contents and stable isotopes, along with parasites, are evaluated to better reveal fish diets. Parasites provide complementary, and additional, information compared to other techniques. Furthermore, we discuss how the presence of certain parasites in small pelagics can be used to infer their main predators and emphasize the neglected but important role of parasites in elucidating a host’s role in marine food webs. Lastly, we identify important gaps in our knowledge of the parasites of small pelagics and what can be done to fill these gaps.


KEY WORDS: Trophically transmitted parasites · Fish · Euphausiids · Squid · Diet · Predators · Food web



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Cite this article as: Jacobson KC, Marcogliese DJ, MacKenzie K (2024) Parasites of small pelagics reflect their role in marine ecosystems. Mar Ecol Prog Ser :SPF2av10. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14529

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