Parasite induced mortality is context dependent in Atlantic salmon: insights from an individual-based model.

ABSTRACT: An individual-based model was parameterized to explore the impact of a crustacean ectoparasite (sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis & Caligus spp.) on migrating Atlantic salmon smolt. The model explores how environmental and intrinsic factors can modulate the effect of sea lice on survival, growth and maturation of Atlantic salmon at sea. Relative to other effects, the parasite infestation pressure from fish farms and the encounter process emerge as the most important parameters. Although small variations in parasite-induced mortality may be masked by variable environmental effects, episodes of high infestation pressure from fish farms should be observable in wild populations of Atlantic salmon if laboratory studies accurately reflect the physiological effects of sea lice. Increases in temp

SUBMITTER: Vollset KW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6874588 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature