Stable isotope analysis spills the beans about spatial variance in trophic structure in a fish host – parasite system from the Vaal River System, South Africa

Beric M. Gilbert, Milen Nachev, Maik A. Jochmann, Torsten C. Schmidt, Daniel Köster, Bernd Sures, Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stable isotope analysis offers a unique tool for comparing trophic interactions and food web architecture in ecosystems based on analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) in organisms. Clarias gariepinus were collected from six sites along the Vaal River, South Africa and were assessed for ectoparasites and endoparasites. Lamproglena clariae (Copepoda), Tetracampos ciliotheca and Proteocephalus glanduligerus (Cestoda), and larval Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda) were collected from the gills, intestine and mesenteries, respectively. Signatures of δ13C and δ15N were analysed in host muscle tissue and parasites using bulk stable isotope analysis. Variable stable isotope enrichment between parasites and host were observed; L. clariae and the host shared similar δ15N signatures and endoparasites being depleted in δ13C and δ15N relative to the host. Differences in stable isotope enrichment between parasites could be related to the feeding strategy of each parasite species collected. Geographic and spatial differences in enrichment of stable isotopes observed in hosts were mirrored by parasites. As parasites rely on a single host for meeting their nutritional demands, stable isotope variability in parasites relates to the dietary differences of host organisms and therefore variations in baseline stable isotope signatures of food items consumed by hosts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)134-141
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Cestoda
  • Copepoda
  • Food webs
  • Lamproglena
  • Nematoda
  • Trophic interactions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Infectious Diseases

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