Influence of body size and environmental conditions on parasite assemblages of the black-spotted croaker (<i>Protonibea diacanthus</i>) (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) in northern Australia.

ABSTRACT: The functioning and richness of marine systems (and biological interactions such as parasitism) are continuously influenced by a changing environment. Using hierarchical modelling of species communities (HMSC), the presence and abundance of multiple parasite species of the black-spotted croaker, Protonibea diacanthus (Sciaenidae), was modelled against environmental measures reflecting seasonal change. Protonibea diacanthus were collected in three seasons across 2019–2021 from four locations within the waters of the Northern Territory, Australia. The length of P. diacanthus proved to have a strong positive effect on the abundance of parasite taxa and overall parasitic assemblage of the sciaenid host. This finding introduces potential implications for parasitism in the f

SUBMITTER: Porter M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11578883 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature