Effects of host migration, diversity and aquaculture on sea lice threats to Pacific salmon populations

Overview
TitleEffects of host migration, diversity and aquaculture on sea lice threats to Pacific salmon populations
AuthorsKrkosek M, Gottesfeld A, Proctor B, Rolston D, Carr-Harris C, Lewis MA
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameProceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society
Volume274
Issue1629
Year2007
Page(s)3141-9
CitationKrkosek M, Gottesfeld A, Proctor B, Rolston D, Carr-Harris C, Lewis MA. Effects of host migration, diversity and aquaculture on sea lice threats to Pacific salmon populations. Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society. 2007 Dec 22; 274(1629):3141-9.

Abstract

Animal migrations can affect disease dynamics. One consequence of migration common to marine fish and invertebrates is migratory allopatry-a period of spatial separation between adult and juvenile hosts, which is caused by host migration and which prevents parasite transmission from adult to juvenile hosts. We studied this characteristic for sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi) and pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) from one of the Canada's largest salmon stocks. Migratory allopatry protects juvenile salmon from L. salmonis for two to three months of early marine life (2-3% prevalence). In contrast, host diversity facilitates access for C. clemensi to juvenile salmon (8-20% prevalence) but infections appear ephemeral. Aquaculture can augment host abundance and diversity and increase parasite exposure of wild juvenile fish. An empirically parametrized model shows high sensitivity of salmon populations to increased L. salmonis exposure, predicting population collapse at one to five motile L. salmonis per juvenile pink salmon. These results characterize parasite threats of salmon aquaculture to wild salmon populations and show how host migration and diversity are important factors affecting parasite transmission in the oceans.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1Martin Krkosek
2Allen Gottesfeld
3Bart Proctor
4Dave Rolston
5Charmaine Carr-Harris
6Mark A Lewis
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
ISSN0962-8452
pISSN0962-8452
Publication Date2007 Dec 22
Journal AbbreviationProc. Biol. Sci.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Publication ModelPrint
Journal CountryEngland
Publication TypeResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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PMID: PMID:17939989