The potential for cleaner fish-driven evolution in the salmon louse

Overview
TitleThe potential for cleaner fish-driven evolution in the salmon louse
AuthorsHamre LA, Oldham T, Oppedal F, Nilsen F, Glover KA
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameEcology and evolution
Volume11
Issue12
Year2021
Page(s)7865-7878
CitationHamre LA, Oldham T, Oppedal F, Nilsen F, Glover KA. The potential for cleaner fish-driven evolution in the salmon louse. Ecology and evolution. 2021 Jun; 11(12):7865-7878.

Abstract

The parasitic salmon louse represents one of the biggest challenges to environmentally sustainable salmonid aquaculture across the globe. This species also displays a high evolutionary potential, as demonstrated by its rapid development of resistance to delousing chemicals. In response, farms now use a range of non-chemical delousing methods, including cleaner fish that eat lice from salmon. Anecdotal reports suggest that in regions where cleaner fish are extensively used on farms, lice have begun to appear less pigmented and therefore putatively less visible to cleaner fish. However, it remains an open question whether these observations reflect a plastic (environmental) or adaptive (genetic) response. To investigate this, we developed a pigment scoring system and conducted complimentary experiments which collectively demonstrate that, a) louse pigmentation is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, most likely light, and b) the presence of modest but significant differences in pigmentation between two strains of lice reared under identical conditions. Based on these data, we conclude that pigmentation in the salmon louse is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, yet there are also indications of underlying genetic control. Therefore, lice could display both plastic and adaptive responses to extensive cleaner fish usage where visual appearance is likely to influence survival of lice.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1Lars Are Hamre
2Tina Oldham
3Frode Oppedal
4Frank Nilsen
5Kevin Alan Glover
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelElectronic-eCollection
ISSN2045-7758
pISSN2045-7758
Publication Date2021 Jun
Journal AbbreviationEcol Evol
DOI10.1002/ece3.7618
Elocation10.1002/ece3.7618
Copyright© 2021 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryEngland
Cross References
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DatabaseAccession
PMID: PMID:34188857