The distribution and host-association of a haemoparasite of damselfishes (Pomacentridae) from the eastern Caribbean based on a combination of morphology and 18S rDNA sequences.

ABSTRACT: Coral reefs harbor the greatest biodiversity per unit area of any ecosystem on earth. While parasites constitute the majority of this biodiversity, they remain poorly studied due to the cryptic nature of many parasites and the lack of appropriate training among coral reef ecologists. Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) are among the most abundant and diverse fishes on coral reefs. In a recent study of blood parasites of Caribbean reef fishes, the first ever apicomplexan blood parasites discovered in damselfishes were reported for members of the genus Stegastes. While these blood parasites were characterized as "Haemohormidium-like", they appear to be distinct from any other known apicomplexan. In this study, we examined host associations, geographic distributions, and provide furthe

SUBMITTER: Sikkel PC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6024192 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature