Spatial patterns of trematode-induced pits on bivalve skeletons: Challenges and prospects for research on parasite-host dynamics DOI Creative Commons
Alexis Rojas, John Warren Huntley, Monica Caffara

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract Interactions between the parasitic larvae of digenean trematodes (mainly gymnophallids) and bivalves often result in characteristic shell malformations, i.e., pit-like traces. Tracking these traces through Holocene modern marine death assemblages has made studying parasite-host responses to natural anthropogenic environmental change possible. Despite major breakthroughs, empirical explorations dynamics geological record are primarily based on trace occurrence data, overlooking that spatial patterns host skeleton could carry ecological information potentially document different aspects interactions (e.g., infective behavior, association with specific anatomy, relationships qualitative properties such as size class, etc.). The Spatial Point Pattern Analysis Traces (SPPAT) been increasingly employed overcome similar challenges predatory bivalve prey. Although this approach holds considerable promise for research trematode–host dynamics, several assumptions caveats need be considered number required capture accurately, reliability point constructed from multiple skeletons describing parasite interactions). Here, we introduce a spatially explicit framework extracting trematode-induced pits shells using SPPAT, address methodological questions involved assembling pattern specimens, discuss critical issues related drawing inferences pooled data. We illustrate our case study late samples commercially relevant Chamelea gallina northern Adriatic Italy. This species high value seafood industry is used climate research. Our results reveal malformations not random; they show an aggregated metacercaria same classes, while independent arises when examining two distinct classes. highlights potential parasite-induced enhancing understanding over time.

Language: Английский

Spatial patterns of trematode-induced pits on bivalve skeletons: Challenges and prospects for research on parasite-host dynamics DOI Creative Commons
Alexis Rojas, John Warren Huntley, Monica Caffara

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract Interactions between the parasitic larvae of digenean trematodes (mainly gymnophallids) and bivalves often result in characteristic shell malformations, i.e., pit-like traces. Tracking these traces through Holocene modern marine death assemblages has made studying parasite-host responses to natural anthropogenic environmental change possible. Despite major breakthroughs, empirical explorations dynamics geological record are primarily based on trace occurrence data, overlooking that spatial patterns host skeleton could carry ecological information potentially document different aspects interactions (e.g., infective behavior, association with specific anatomy, relationships qualitative properties such as size class, etc.). The Spatial Point Pattern Analysis Traces (SPPAT) been increasingly employed overcome similar challenges predatory bivalve prey. Although this approach holds considerable promise for research trematode–host dynamics, several assumptions caveats need be considered number required capture accurately, reliability point constructed from multiple skeletons describing parasite interactions). Here, we introduce a spatially explicit framework extracting trematode-induced pits shells using SPPAT, address methodological questions involved assembling pattern specimens, discuss critical issues related drawing inferences pooled data. We illustrate our case study late samples commercially relevant Chamelea gallina northern Adriatic Italy. This species high value seafood industry is used climate research. Our results reveal malformations not random; they show an aggregated metacercaria same classes, while independent arises when examining two distinct classes. highlights potential parasite-induced enhancing understanding over time.

Language: Английский

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