Preliminary Work on Infestation Dynamics and Stable Isotope Ecology of a Coral Reef Micropredator

Author

William Garrett Jenkins, Arkansas State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-2-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology, MS

First Advisor

Paul Sikkel

Committee Members

Amanda Demopoulos; Tanja McKay

Call Number

LD251.A566t 2018 J46

Abstract

Despite the significant ecological role that parasites likely play within their respective communities, little is understood about the role that they play within food webs. The studies presented herein sought to expand upon the understanding of the role that gnathiid isopods, a marine fish ectoparasite, play within coral reef ecological communities by: a) assessing the effect of host physical condition on susceptibility to exploitation by a gnathiid isopod and b) by conducting a comprehensive, preliminary, study on the stable isotope ecology of these micropredators. Host fish which were experimentally injured during field trials exhibited a higher probability of being parasitized by Gnathia marleyi, indicating that host condition may influence host preference for this micropredator. Analysis of stable isotopes of host fish and associated G. marleyi indicate that stable isotope ratio patterns of the parasite are significantly influenced by the feeding ecology and trophic position of their host. The results from these studies are essential contributions to future studies on the role that this parasite, and others, play in food web energy dynamics.

Rights Management

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

Recommended Citation

Jenkins, William Garrett, "Preliminary Work on Infestation Dynamics and Stable Isotope Ecology of a Coral Reef Micropredator" (2018). Student Theses and Dissertations. 525.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/525