Digenean parasites of deep-sea teleosts: a progress report

Publication date: Available online 18 January 2020Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Rodney A. BrayAbstractThe developments in the study of digeneans of deep-sea fish in the 21st Century are documented and discussed. Most recent work has been on the bathyal fauna (i.e. 1,000m-2,999m depth), with virtually nothing on the abyssal fauna (i.e. deeper than 3,000m). The one study on hydrothermal vent digeneans has indicated that these regions probably harbour a distinctive fauna. The demarcation of the deep-sea fauna is blurred at the poles, where the cold-adapted fauna appears similar to the shallower bathyal fauna. The abyssal fauna, however, appears distinct, possibly due to adaptations to variable or ultra-high pressures. The digenean fauna of bathypelagic fishes is depauperate. Recent phylogenetic studies reinforce the view that the typical deep-sea fauna has radiated in the deep-sea. Encroachment into the deep from shallow water is relatively rare. Overall, the digenean fauna in the deep-sea is distinctly less diverse that the equivalent fauna in shallow waters. A major conclusion is that our understanding of the deep-sea digenean fauna is poor, and that much further work over a much wider area is needed.Graphical abstract

Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - January 18, 2020 Category: Parasitology Source Type: research