Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E68
Höfundar / Authors: Gabriel Ferreira (1), Björn Schäffner (2), Peter Olson (3), Haseeb Randhawa (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland; 2. St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies; 3. Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
Kynnir / Presenter: Gabriel Ferreira
Chondrichthyans are the most threatened marine species group and host various host specific parasites. In Iceland, 3 of the 15 local skate species have been studied for parasites. Six species are currently threatened and most face population declines. Chances of co-extinction events in skate/parasite systems are rising. Given their role as ecosystem engineers, assessing the hidden diversity of parasites in Icelandic skates will ensure their conservation. Here, we assess skate species occurring in Iceland and their parasite communities. Skates were obtained from 2 surveys, from the Natural History Museum, and from Queen’s University. Stomachs, spiral valves, and cloacae were examined for helminth parasites. Ninety-six skate hosts were analysed. Host species included Amblyraja radiata, A. hyperborea, Bathyraja spinicauda, Dipturus batis, D. intermedius, Rajella fyllae and R. lintea. Helminths belonged to the classes Monogenea, Trematoda, and Cestoda. For monogeneans, Calicotyle sp. was found in A. radiata. For trematodes, Otodistomum veliporum was found in A. radiata. For cestodes, 5 morphotypes were found in all host species, for the genera Echeneibothrium (2), Echinobothrium (1), Grillotia (1), and Rockacestus (1). These results offer new host and geographical information for the helminths identified. Knowing their spatial distribution is vital for marine conservation and ensures conservation plans consider the biology, ecology, and threatened status of these organisms.