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Long-term population dynamics of Littorina obtusata: the spatial structure and impact of trematodes

  • WHITE SEA ECOSYSTEMS
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Abstract

There are few examples of host population regulation by macroparasites in stable communities; however, strong impact of parasites on the host individual is obvious in many cases (for example increased mortality, a reduction in fecundity up to the complete castration). Associations between the host populations (periwinkle Littorina obtusata) and prevalence of trematodes was investigated using long-term data (1982–1997) of two L. obtusata populations in the White Sea, northwest Russia. We hypothesized that high prevalence of trematodes will reduce future host population density, and increase mortality. Using a general linear model, we found a significant negative correlation between host population density and the prevalence of the most abundant parasite, Microphallus piriformes in the previous year. We found no correlation between snail reproduction and the prevalence, but observed a significant reduction in middle-aged mollusk abundance which was associated with high prevalence. This indicates the importance of parasite-induced mortality for the dynamics of the host population. There was an association between trematode infection and L. obtusata populations that influence their distribution within littoral zone. The ‘source’ population, located in the lower section of the macrophyte zone, appears to be self-sustaining, controlling the whole population recruitment and dynamics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the administration of the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve for their support of our long-term study on Rjazhkov Island. We also wish to thank Prof. V. Berger and Prof. A. Sukhotin (White Sea Biological Station of the Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences) and M. Levitin (Marine Biological Station of St. Petersburg State University) for providing logistic support, Dr. Sergievsky and Dr. Mikhailova who played a key role in the long-term monitoring of Littorina populations in the White Sea, and all the students who helped us during this study. We also thank unknown referees for providing useful criticism and linguistic corrections of the manuscript. During the work on this manuscript the authors were funded in part by the St. Petersburg University Research Grants No. 1.37.80.2011 and No. 1.0.140.2010 and RFBR Grant No. 12-04-00312a.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Naberezhnaya 7/9, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    A. I. Granovitch & A. N. Maximovich

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  1. A. I. Granovitch
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  2. A. N. Maximovich
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Correspondence to A. I. Granovitch.

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Guest editor: A. A. Sukhotin / Long-term research on marine ecosystems in the White Sea, Russia

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Granovitch, A.I., Maximovich, A.N. Long-term population dynamics of Littorina obtusata: the spatial structure and impact of trematodes. Hydrobiologia 706, 91–101 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1411-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1411-7

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