Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2023
Höfundar / Authors: Björn C. Schäffner (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland
Kynnir / Presenter: Björn C. Schäffner
Fifteen species of batoid rays occur in Icelandic waters. However, little is known about their parasites. A total of 28 parasite species were recorded from merely three species of skates, corresponding to almost 70 % of the known parasite fauna of Icelandic cartilaginous fishes. Given that only 20 % of skate species have been observed for parasites, a vast majority of parasites remains to be discovered. Investigations on the parasite fauna of the remaining batoid rays are required to rectify the sparse records build on existing host-parasite data. Samples from a broad array of batoid species will be obtained during the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute´s spring and autumn groundfish surveys. The entire parasite will be assessed using integrative taxonomy approaches to reveal insights on host-parasite relationships, processes of diversification, faunal differences and the biogeographical dispersal of hosts and parasites in distinct marine ecoregions in the northern Atlantic Ocean. This project will contribute to efforts on the Icelandic biodiversity assessment and enhance our knowledge on marine parasites and the history of co-evolution of marine apex predators and associated parasites in Iceland. It will thus provide the baseline for future transnational research collaborations, leading to new foundations in interconnected disciplines and paving the way for future scientific discovery in Iceland and beyond.