- Invertebrates
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Parasitism in bivalves from an Arctic ecosystem
Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen volume 37, pages 201–205 (1984)
Abstract
In arctic ecosystems parasitism seems less conspicuous than in more diverse tropical ecosystems. However, several host-parasite relations may be a burden in Arctic ecosystems and modify energy-flow patterns. Four different localities of the shallow shelf off Godhavn, West Greenland, were studied with regard to biomass, production and life cycles of selected bivalve and polychaete species. The following important parasite-bivalve associations were found: the athecate hydroidMonobrachium parasitum onMacoma calcarea; the digenetic trematodeGymnophallus somateriae inHiatella byssifera; an unidentified species of turbellarian inHiatella byssifera; and the nemerteanMalacobdella grossa inMya truncata. In the bivalvesMytilus edulis, Serripes groenlandicus andCardium ciliatum only few parasites were detected. Parasitism seems to follow the general trend observed in Arctic ecosystems which exhibit low species diversities and high numbers of individuals.
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Petersen, G.H. Parasitism in bivalves from an Arctic ecosystem. Helgolander Meeresunters 37, 201–205 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989304
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989304