Community structure of digenean parasites of sparid and 
labrid fishes of the Mediterranean sea: a new approach

The aim of this work was to study the structure of the parasite communities of Digeneans of 2 families of Teleost fishes (Sparidae and Labridae) of the Mediterranean sea. We tried to quantify the importance of both the microhabitat requirements of the parasite species and the effect of host biological factors on the parasite communities. We applied, for the first time in parasite community studies, the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) to analyse (i) the spatial distribution of parasite species within the digestive tract of the hosts; (ii) the host's biological factors (such as diet, host length, gregariousness and abundance) that may influence this spatial distribution of parasite species. Our results showed that potential microhabitats were vacant in the 2 host families studied revealing a lack of niche saturation because either there was little inter- and/or intraspecific competition or there were enough available space and resources within the host. Our results also indicated that the position of the parasite in the digestive tract is much more important than host biological factors for the structure of parasite community. Finally, we highlight the potential use of the CCA method for controlling for phylogenetic constraints in multi-species analyses.

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Parasite communities and infection levels of the invasive Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii (Actinopterygii: Odontobutidae) from the Naab river basin, Germany

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x16000791 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 91 (6) ◽

pp. 703-710 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Y. Kvach ◽

M. Janáč ◽

S. Nehring ◽

M. Ondračková ◽

P. Jurajda

Keyword(s):

Parasite Species ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Parasite Community ◽

Perccottus Glenii ◽

Cestode Species ◽

Commercial Fish ◽

Parasite Communities ◽

Second Intermediate Host ◽

First Time

AbstractThe Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii), an invasive Asian fish, was first registered in Germany in 2009 (westernmost extent of its invasive range). We sampled Chinese sleepers from two localities on the Bücherlgraben creek (a tributary of the River Naab) in south-eastern Germany in November 2015 and examined them for parasite infection. Twelve taxa were registered, including ciliates (unidentified Trichodina), a monogenean, three cestode species, two digenean taxa, two acanthocephalan species, two nematode species and one mollusc glochidia. Infracommunities consisted of 1–5 species, with 10% of fish uninfected. Three parasite species (Acanthocephalus anguillae, Gyrodactylus luciopercae and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa) were recorded on Chinese sleepers for the first time. The results highlight the important role of the Chinese sleeper as a second intermediate host in the life cycle of heron and grebe parasites. The Chinese sleeper parasite community displayed low homogeneity at both localities sampled, with allogenic parasites (metacercariae and mesocercoids) mostly shared. Differences between localities were mainly caused by autogenic parasites. No invasive parasites associated with the Chinese sleeper were observed in the study area, all parasites being representatives of European fauna. This supports the hypothesis of introduction via the aquarium trade or through transport with commercial fish.

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First Description of Two Sequence Type 2 Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates Carrying OXA-23 Carbapenemase in Pagellus acarne Fished from the Mediterranean Sea near Bejaia, Algeria

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02384-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 2513-2515 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Soumia Brahmi ◽

Abdelaziz Touati ◽

Axelle Cadière ◽

Nassima Djahmi ◽

Alix Pantel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Sequence Type ◽

Content Type ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Selective Agar ◽

Agar Media ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

First Time

ABSTRACTTo determine the occurrence of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiin fish fished from the Mediterranean Sea near the Bejaia coast (Algeria), we studied 300 gills and gut samples that had been randomly and prospectively collected during 1 year. After screening on selective agar media, using PCR arrays and whole-genome sequencing, we identified for the first time two OXA-23-producingA. baumanniistrains belonging to the widespread sequence type 2 (ST2)/international clone II and harboring aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes [aac(6′)-Ib andaac(3′)-I genes].

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The spatio-temporal distribution of lightning over Israel and the neighboring area and its relation to regional synoptic systems

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-11-2125-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2125-2135 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

S. Shalev ◽

H. Saaroni ◽

T. Izsak ◽

Y. Yair ◽

B. Ziv

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Lightning Activity ◽

Eastern Coast ◽

Synoptic Situation ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Neighboring Area

Abstract. The spatio-temporal distribution of lightning flashes over Israel and the neighboring area and its relation to the regional synoptic systems has been studied, based on data obtained from the Israel Lightning Location System (ILLS) operated by the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC). The system detects cloud-to-ground lightning discharges in a range of ~500 km around central Israel (32.5° N, 35° E). The study period was defined for annual activity from August through July, for 5 seasons in the period 2004–2010. The spatial distribution of lightning flash density indicates the highest concentration over the Mediterranean Sea, attributed to the contribution of moisture as well as sensible and latent heat fluxes from the sea surface. Other centers of high density appear along the coastal plain, orographic barriers, especially in northern Israel, and downwind from the metropolitan area of Tel Aviv, Israel. The intra-annual distribution shows an absence of lightning during the summer months (JJA) due to the persistent subsidence over the region. The vast majority of lightning activity occurs during 7 months, October to April. Although over 65 % of the rainfall in Israel is obtained during the winter months (DJF), only 35 % of lightning flashes occur in these months. October is the richest month, with 40 % of total annual flashes. This is attributed both to tropical intrusions, i.e., Red Sea Troughs (RST), which are characterized by intense static instability and convection, and to Cyprus Lows (CLs) arriving from the west. Based on daily study of the spatial distribution of lightning, three patterns have been defined; "land", "maritime" and "hybrid". CLs cause high flash density over the Mediterranean Sea, whereas some of the RST days are typified by flashes over land. The pattern defined "hybrid" is a combination of the other 2 patterns. On CL days, only the maritime pattern was noted, whereas in RST days all 3 patterns were found, including the maritime pattern. It is suggested that atmospheric processes associated with RST produce the land pattern. Hence, the occurrence of a maritime pattern in days identified as RST reflects an "apparent RST". The hybrid pattern was associated with an RST located east of Israel. This synoptic type produced the typical flash maximum over the land, but the upper-level trough together with the onshore winds it induced over the eastern coast of the Mediterranean resulted in lightning activity over the sea as well, similar to that of CLs. It is suggested that the spatial distribution patterns of lightning may better identify the synoptic system responsible, a CL, an "active RST" or an "apparent RST". The electrical activity thus serves as a "fingerprint" for the synoptic situation responsible for its generation.

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First record of the sipunculan worm Phascolion (Phascolion) caupo Hendrix, 1975 in the Mediterranean Sea

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.24 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 89 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

L.M. FERRERO-VICENTE ◽

A. LOYA-FERNANDEZ ◽

C. MARCO-MENDEZ ◽

E. MARTINEZ-GARCIA ◽

J.I. SAIZ-SALINAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

First Record ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

High Load ◽

San Pedro ◽

Soft Bottoms ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

First Time

Specimens of the sipunculan worm Phascolion (Phascolion) caupo Hendrix, 1975 have been collected for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, thus increasing the number of known sipunculan species of up to 36 in this area. They were encountered on soft bottoms from the coast of San Pedro del Pinatar (Western Mediterranean). Thirty specimens were collected at a depth ranging from 32.6 to 37.2 m, mainly in sandy substrata with high load of silt and clays. 80% of the individuals were found inhabiting empty shells of gastropods or empty tubes of serpulid polychaetes.

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Hemiasterella aristoteliana n. sp. (Porifera, Hadromerida) from the Aegean Sea with a discussion on the family Hemiasterellidae

Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde ◽

10.1163/26660644-06101004 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 43-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Eleni Voultsiadou-Koukoura ◽

R.W.M. van Soest

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Shallow Waters ◽

The Family ◽

The Status ◽

Northern Aegean Sea ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

First Time

A representative of the genus Hemiasterella Carter, 1879 was found for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea during sampling in the shallow waters of the northern Aegean Sea. The new species, H. aristoteliana, is compared with Atlantic Hemiasterella elongata Topsent, 1928. The status of the family Hemiasterellidae is discussed.

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Interannual variation in the metazoan parasite communities of bigeye trevally Caranx sexfasciatus (Pisces, Carangidae)

Parasite ◽

10.1051/parasite/2020001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Juan Violante-González ◽

Scott Monks ◽

Yesenia Gallegos-Navarro ◽

Nataly G. Santos-Bustos ◽

Princessa J. Villalba-Vasquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Parasite Species ◽

Single Species ◽

Parasite Community ◽

Component Community ◽

Metazoan Parasites ◽

Parasite Communities ◽

Local Fluctuations ◽

Low Diversity ◽

Abiotic Environmental Factors

Parasite communities in Caranx sexfasciatus were characterized and analyzed to determine any interannual variations in structure and/or species composition. In total, 422 C. sexfasciatus were collected from Acapulco Bay, Mexico, between May 2016 and March 2019. Thirty-two taxa of metazoan parasites were identified: five Monogenea, thirteen Digenea, one Acanthocephala, one Cestoda, three Nematoda, seven Copepoda, and two Isopoda. Monogeneans were the most frequent and abundant parasite species in all sampling years. Parasite species richness at the component community level varied significantly from 8 (May 2016) to 25 (March 2019) and was similar to previous reports for other species of Carangidae. The component communities and infracommunities in C. sexfasciatus were characterized by low parasite species numbers, low diversity, and dominance of a single species (the monogenean Neomicrocotyle pacifica). Parasite community structure and species composition varied between sampling years and climatic seasons. Seasonal or local fluctuations in some biotic and abiotic environmental factors probably explain these variations.

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The culturable mycobiota associated with the Mediterranean sponges Aplysina cavernicola, Crambe crambe and Phorbas tenacior

FEMS Microbiology Letters ◽

10.1093/femsle/fnaa014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 366 (24) ◽

Author(s):

Elena Bovio ◽

Estelle Sfecci ◽

Anna Poli ◽

Giorgio Gnavi ◽

Valeria Prigione ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Marine Environment ◽

Marine Fungi ◽

Species Level ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Satellite Analysis ◽

First Time

ABSTRACT Marine fungi are part of the huge and understudied biodiversity hosted in the sea. To broaden the knowledge on fungi inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea and their role in sponge holobiont, three sponges namely Aplysina cavernicola, Crambe crambe and Phorbas tenacior were collected in Villefranche sur Mer, (France) at about 25 m depth. The fungal communities associated with the sponges were isolated using different techniques to increase the numbers of fungi isolated. All fungi were identified to species level giving rise to 19, 13 and 3 species for P. tenacior, A. cavernicola and C. crambe, respectively. Of note, 35.7% and 50.0% of the species detected were either reported for the first time in the marine environment or in association with sponges. The mini-satellite analysis confirmed the uniqueness of the mycobiota of each sponge, leading to think that the sponge, with its metabolome, may shape the microbial community.

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Intestinal helminth parasites in flounderPlatichthys flesusfrom the River Thames: an infracommunity analysis

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1079/joh2004255 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 78 (4) ◽

pp. 297-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Guillen-Hernandez ◽

P.J. Whitfield

Keyword(s):

Parasite Species ◽

Parasite Community ◽

Intestinal Helminth ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Component Community ◽

Parasite Communities ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Marine Influence ◽

River Thames

AbstractAn analysis was undertaken of intestinal helminth communities in flounderPlatichthys flesusfrom two sites on the River Thames. A comparison was made between helminth community richness and diversity from these sites at the component and infracommunity levels. At the component community level, a richer and more diverse parasite community was found in flounder from the Tilbury location (marine influence) than that from the Lots Road location (freshwater influence). At the infracommunity level, more parasite species and parasite individuals per host were found at Lots Road and the percentage of similarity values were low at both locations. Helminth species with high prevalence values in the parasite communities of the flounder are the dominant species in any individual fish, harbouring multi-specific infections. The presence of more invertebrate species, which are intermediate hosts in the helminth life cycle in the Thames, fish vagility and the high prevalence and abundance values ofPomphorhynchus laevisin the flounder, may explain the differences between the two locations.

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The parasite community infecting flounders, Platichthys flesus, in the tidal Thames

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x99000323 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 203-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

H.E.M. El-Darsh ◽

P.J. Whitfield

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Parasite Species ◽

Parasite Community ◽

Parasite Fauna ◽

Component Community ◽

Species List ◽

Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽

Platichthys Flesus ◽

First Time ◽

Middle Estuary

The composition of the parasite fauna of the flounder,Platichthys flesus, retrieved from two locations in the tidal Thames is described in detail for the first time. The combined parasite species list of the flounders from Lots Road in the upper tideway and West Thurrock in the middle tideway consisted of one protozoan (Glugea stephani), one monogenean (Gyrodactylussp.), four larval digeneans (Cryptocotyle concava,Timoniella imbutiforme,T. praeterita, andLabratrema minimus), five adult digeneans (Derogenes varicus,Lecithaster gibbosus,Podocotylesp.,Plagioporus varius, andZoogonoides viviparus), one larval cestode (unidentified tetraphyllidean), one or possibly more larval nematodes (unidentified) plus five adult nematodes (Capillariasp.,Cucullanus heterochrous,C. minutus,Contracaecumsp. andGoeziasp.), two acanthocephalans (Pomphorhynchus laevisandAcanthocephalus anguillae), three copepods (Lepeophtheirus pectoralis,Acanthochondriasp. andLernaeocera branchialis), and one mollusc (unidentified glochidia). The overall parasite community of flounders from Lots Road and West Thurrock were compared in terms of species richness and diversity. The parasite community in flounders from the former location in the upper tideway was found to be less diverse than that of its counterpart at West Thurrock in the middle estuary. The component community of Lots Road flounders was dominated by the acanthocephalanPomphorhynchus laevis.

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Richness and diversity of parasite communities in European eels Anguilla anguilla of the River Rhine, Germany, with special reference to helminth parasites

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182099004655 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 119 (3) ◽

pp. 323-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

B. SURES ◽

K. KNOPF ◽

J. WÜRTZ ◽

J. HIRT

Keyword(s):

Parasite Species ◽

Sampling Site ◽

Anguilla Anguilla ◽

Single Species ◽

River Rhine ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Parasite Communities ◽

Acanthocephalus Lucii ◽

High Dominance ◽

First Time

A total of 121 European eels (Anguilla anguilla) from 2 sampling sites on the River Rhine were investigated in respect of their parasite communities. Special attention was given to the swim bladders, intestines, gills and fins of the fish. Twelve different parasite species were found to live in and on the eels. Data from each sampling site were kept separate. Parasites found in descending order of prevalence were: Anguillicola crassus, Trypanosoma granulosum, Myxobolus sp., Paratenuisentis ambiguus, Pseudodactylogyrus sp., Bothriocephalus claviceps, Myxidium giardi, Pomphorhynchus laevis, Trichodina sp., Raphidascaris acus, Acanthocephalus lucii and Acanthocephalus anguillae. Significantly different prevalences were reported for L3 larvae of A. crassus, adult P. ambiguus, B. claviceps and Myxobolus sp. at the 2 sampling sites. The highest number of parasite species was recorded from the intestine, which contained up to 6 different helminths. The coexistence of the acanthocephalans P. laevis and P. ambiguus, which showed clear patterns of distribution within the intestine of the respective hosts, was reported for the first time. Up to 3 different helminth species were found in the intestine of individual fish. Among those, acanthocephalans were the most prevalent worms with the eel-specific parasite P. ambiguus as the dominant species not only of the intestinal but also of the total component communities. Both infra and component communities exhibited low diversity and were dominated by this single species. The evenness reached only approximately 50% or less and it remained unclear why the helminth communities of the eels from the River Rhine with its huge catchment area exhibit such a low parasite diversity and high dominance.

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