Life cycles and transmission patterns of seabird digeneans in SW Iceland

Karl Skirnisson, Kirill V. Galaktionov
2002 Sarsia  
Skirnisson K, Galaktionov KV. 2002 . Life cycles and transmission patterns of seabird digeneans in SW Iceland. Sarsia 87:144-151. SARSIA Flukes (digeneans) are common parasites of seabirds in Arctic and subarctic regions. This study examined the distribution of such parasites in 1998 and 1999 in the intertidal zones of two study areas in SW Iceland (Skerjafjördur and Grindavik) by investigating seven species of littoral snail, Littorina saxatilis, L. obtusata, L. fabalis, Onoba aculeus,
more » ... ventrosa, Epheria vincta and Nucella lapillus, which are known to be rst intermediate hosts of many species of digenean. A total of 2556 snails was collected and the intramolluscan stages of 23 seabird digenean species were identi ed. The local occurrence and abundanc e of nal hosts, such as gulls, eiders and waders, largely explain prevalence differences in the study areas. Seabird digeneans with life cycles involving two intermediate hosts and one/two free-living larvae are more frequent in the Icelandic localities studied than in coastal areas of northern Europe (Barents Sea, White Sea, northern Norway). This indicates that the environmenta l conditions in the coastal ecosystem of SW Iceland are favourabl e for the transmission of complex life cycles. Also, the abundance and diversity of both potential nal hosts (birds) and second intermediate hosts (littoral invertebrates and shes) are considered to contribute to the richness of the digenean fauna of SW Iceland.
doi:10.1080/003648202320205229 fatcat:wdtmuo6pkvdyvklr6rqdzfxkl4