Ecosystem energetic implications of parasite and free-living biomass in three estuaries

Armand M. Kuris (), Ryan F. Hechinger, Jenny C. Shaw, Kathleen L. Whitney, Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo, Charlie A. Boch, Andrew P. Dobson, Eleca J. Dunham, Brian L. Fredensborg, Todd C. Huspeni, Julio Lorda, Luzviminda Mababa, Frank T. Mancini, Adrienne B. Mora, Maria Pickering, Nadia L. Talhouk, Mark E. Torchin and Kevin D. Lafferty
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Armand M. Kuris: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Ryan F. Hechinger: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Jenny C. Shaw: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Kathleen L. Whitney: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo: Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN, C.P. 97310, Mérida, Mexico
Charlie A. Boch: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Andrew P. Dobson: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1003, USA
Eleca J. Dunham: Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
Brian L. Fredensborg: University of Texas Pan-American, Edinburg, Texas 78539, USA
Todd C. Huspeni: University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, USA
Julio Lorda: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Luzviminda Mababa: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Frank T. Mancini: Pacific Islands Fisheries Research Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
Adrienne B. Mora: University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
Maria Pickering: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, 75 North Eagleville Rd. Unit 3043, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
Nadia L. Talhouk: Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
Mark E. Torchin: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843, Ancon, Balboa 03092, Panama, Republic of Panama
Kevin D. Lafferty: Western Ecological Research Center, US Geological Survey, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA

Nature, 2008, vol. 454, issue 7203, 515-518

Abstract: Parasites count too Parasites — and other infectious agents — can have a major impact on an ecosystem, by targeting a prominent prey or predator species. But a study of the biomass of free-living and parasitic species in three estuaries on the Pacific coast of California and Baja California suggests that parasite ecology should be given more weighty consideration in food-web analysis and ecosystem modelling in future. The surprise finding was that parasites have substantial biomass in these ecosystems, even exceeding that of top predators. For instance the biomass of trematodes — parasitic flukes — was particularly high, comparable to that of birds, fish, burrowing shrimps and polychaetes.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature06970

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