Increasing temperatures accentuate negative fitness consequences of a marine parasite

Overview
TitleIncreasing temperatures accentuate negative fitness consequences of a marine parasite
AuthorsGodwin SC, Fast MD, Kuparinen A, Medcalf KE, Hutchings JA
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameScientific reports
Volume10
Issue1
Year2020
Page(s)18467
CitationGodwin SC, Fast MD, Kuparinen A, Medcalf KE, Hutchings JA. Increasing temperatures accentuate negative fitness consequences of a marine parasite. Scientific reports. 2020 Oct 28; 10(1):18467.

Abstract

Infectious diseases are key drivers of wildlife populations and agriculture production, but whether and how climate change will influence disease impacts remains controversial. One of the critical knowledge gaps that prevents resolution of this controversy is a lack of high-quality experimental data, especially in marine systems of significant ecological and economic consequence. Here, we performed a manipulative experiment in which we tested the temperature-dependent effects on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)-a parasite that can depress the productivity of wild-salmon populations and the profits of the salmon-farming industry. We explored sea-louse impacts on their hosts across a range of temperatures (10, 13, 16, 19, and 22 °C) and infestation levels (zero, 'low' (mean abundance ± SE = 1.6 ± 0.1 lice per fish), and 'high' infestation (6.8 ± 0.4 lice per fish)). We found that the effects of sea lice on the growth rate, condition, and survival of juvenile Atlantic salmon all worsen with increasing temperature. Our results provide a rare empirical example of how climate change may influence the impacts of marine disease in a key social-ecological system. These findings underscore the importance of considering climate-driven changes to disease impacts in wildlife conservation and agriculture.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1Sean C Godwin
2Mark D Fast
3Anna Kuparinen
4Kate E Medcalf
5Jeffrey A Hutchings
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelElectronic
ISSN2045-2322
eISSN2045-2322
Publication Date2020 Oct 28
Journal AbbreviationSci Rep
DOI10.1038/s41598-020-74948-3
Elocation10.1038/s41598-020-74948-3
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryEngland
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DatabaseAccession
PMID: PMID:33116171