The impact of invasive Sinanodonta woodiana (Bivalvia, Unionidae) and mussel macroparasites on the egg distribution of parasitic bitterling fish in host mussels.

ABSTRACT: Facilitative and competitive interactions among coexisting parasite species, as well as among alternative host species, produce considerable ecological and evolutionary responses to host-parasite relationships. Such effects can be illuminated by impacts of non-native species on relationships in local communities. We used the association between parasitic European bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus) and unionid mussels (which host bitterling eggs in their gills) to test the effects of the invasive Chinese pond mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana) and the presence of non-bitterling mussel macroparasites on the pattern of host mussel use by the bitterling across 12 unionid mussel communities with the absence or presence of S. woodiana (and variation in duration of coexistence with local species). While

SUBMITTER: Halabowski D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923366 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature