Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) parasites: potentially useful bioindicators of freshwater quality?
In environmental quality bioassessment studies, analysis of host-parasite interactions may well be a valuable alternative to classical macroinvertebrate sampling approaches. Herein, we investigated whether zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) parasites could be useful biomonitoring tools. Mussel populations were sampled twice at two sites in northeastern France representing different levels of contamination and were characterized for parasite infection following standard histological methods. Our results indicated that sites of different environmental quality (i.e. chemical contamination) exhibited different parasite communities characterized by different trematode species and parasite associations. An additional significant finding was the positive correlation established between the prevalence of Rickettsiales-like organisms and metal contamination. Multivariate analyses were valuable in examining parasite communities.
Minguez
Laëtitia
L
Université Paul Verlaine-Metz, Laboratoire des Interactions, Ecotoxicologie, Biodiversité, Ecosystèmes (LIEBE), CNRS UMR 7146, Campus Bridoux, Metz, France.
Molloy
Daniel P
DP
Guérold
François
F
Giambérini
Laure
L
D000818:Animals; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000472:pathogenicity; D049875:Dreissena / Q000469:parasitology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005602:France; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D012287:Rickettsiaceae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014200:Trematoda / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical