Parasite induced mortality is context dependent in Atlantic salmon: insights from an individual-based model

Overview
TitleParasite induced mortality is context dependent in Atlantic salmon: insights from an individual-based model
AuthorsVollset KW
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameScientific reports
Volume9
Issue1
Year2019
Page(s)17377
CitationVollset KW. Parasite induced mortality is context dependent in Atlantic salmon: insights from an individual-based model. Scientific reports. 2019 Nov 22; 9(1):17377.

Abstract

An individual-based model was parameterized to explore the impact of a crustacean ectoparasite (sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis & Caligus spp.) on migrating Atlantic salmon smolt. The model explores how environmental and intrinsic factors can modulate the effect of sea lice on survival, growth and maturation of Atlantic salmon at sea. Relative to other effects, the parasite infestation pressure from fish farms and the encounter process emerge as the most important parameters. Although small variations in parasite-induced mortality may be masked by variable environmental effects, episodes of high infestation pressure from fish farms should be observable in wild populations of Atlantic salmon if laboratory studies accurately reflect the physiological effects of sea lice. Increases in temperature in the model negatively influenced fish survival by affecting the development time of the parasite at a rate that was not compensated for by the growth of the host. Discharge from rivers was parameterized to increase migration speed and influenced parasite induced mortality by decreasing time spent in areas with increased infestation pressure. Initial size and growth of the host was inversely related to the impact of the parasite because of size-dependent parasite-induced mortality in the early phase of migration. Overall, the model illustrates how environmental factors modulate effects on the host population by impacting either the parasite load or the relative effect of the parasite. The results suggest that linking population-level effects to parasite infestation pressure across climatic and environmental gradients may be challenging without correctly accounting for these effects.

Author Details
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1Knut Wiik Vollset
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelElectronic
ISSN2045-2322
eISSN2045-2322
Publication Date2019 Nov 22
Journal AbbreviationSci Rep
DOI10.1038/s41598-019-53871-2
Elocation10.1038/s41598-019-53871-2
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryEngland
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PMID: PMID:31758025