The Role of Chemical Cues in Host Susceptibility to Fish-Parasitic Gnathiid Isopods.

Author

Clayton M. Vondriska, Arkansas State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

3-14-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology, MS

First Advisor

Paul Sikkel

Committee Members

Danielle Dixson; J. Rudi Strickler; Jerry Farris

Call Number

LD 251 .A566t 2020 V66

Abstract

Parasitism is one of the most common lifestyle strategies. Ectoparasites must navigate complex environments to find their host and many rely heavily on chemical cues to do so. Gnathiid isopods are common parasites that use chemical cues to find their marine fish hosts. While gnathiids are considered host-generalists, hosts vary in their susceptibility to infestation. However, the mechanisms that mediate differential susceptibility are unknown. Here I used field and laboratory experiments to investigate if the chemo-attractiveness of hosts explains differences in susceptibility of Caribbean reef fishes to infestation by a common Caribbean gnathiid isopod, Gnathia marleyi. While G. marleyi can detect and locate hosts using only chemical cues, they do not exhibit a preference for cues produced by more susceptible fish species. I conclude that species-specific chemical cues are not the main mechanism driving differences in host susceptibility to gnathiid isopod infestation and that other factors are likely mediators.

Rights Management

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Vondriska, Clayton M., "The Role of Chemical Cues in Host Susceptibility to Fish-Parasitic Gnathiid Isopods." (2022). Student Theses and Dissertations. 388.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/388