Filter feeding by oysters reduces disease transmission in a marine host-parasite system.

ABSTRACT: As a mechanism of the dilution effect, predation and filter feeding on parasitic propagules are hypothesized to reduce transmission to susceptible hosts and alter host-parasite interactions. In marine systems, the effect of other community members on the disease dynamics of microparasites in their suitable hosts is poorly known. In a coastal estuarine host-parasite system, we examined how eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, affect the transmission of a parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium perezi, to juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus. We deployed juvenile blue crabs in custom mesh bags that were sandwiched by oysters into holo-endemic areas, or areas with high endemic transmission for the parasite in juvenile hosts. Controls consisted of juvenile crabs deployed with an equivale

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12812219 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature