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31 October 2023
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Ecological Consequences of Parasite Invasions

Abstract

Invasions of pathogens and parasites can have far-reaching ecological consequences in their recipient ecosystems. In this chapter, we provide a conceptual overview of the various mechanisms underlying these ecological consequences, which we illustrate using examples from the literature. We first describe the different ways invasive parasites can interact with hosts and parasites in invaded ecosystems and then discuss the direct effects of invasive parasites on native and invasive hosts. Following this, we explore the indirect effects of invasive parasites on other species via altering species interactions and identify knock-on effects on the invaded communities and ecosystems. Finally, we highlight that parasite invasions can also affect native parasites, and we identify knowledge gaps and areas for future research.

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Information & Authors

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Published In

Pages: 100 - 114
Editors: Dr Jamie Bojko, Teeside University, UK, Dr Alison M Dunn, University of Leeds, UK, and Dr April M H Blakeslee, East Carolina University, USA
D.W. Thieltges and M.A. Goedknegt
Ecological Consequences of Parasite Invasions
ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-78924-811-1
ISBN (ePDF): 978-1-78924-812-8
ISBN (ePUB): 978-1-78924-813-5

History

Published online: 31 October 2023
Cover date: 31 October 2023

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English

Authors

Affiliations

David W. Thieltges* [email protected]
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Den Burg, the Netherlands
Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, the Netherlands
M. Anouk Goedknegt
Rijkswaterstaat Noord Nederland, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

Notes

*
Corresponding author: [email protected]

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  • Temperature effects on the impact of two invasive parasitic copepods on the survival, growth, condition, and reproduction of native mussels, Biological Invasions, 10.1007/s10530-024-03527-8, 27, 2, (2025).
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  • Warming effects on the life cycles of two parasitic copepods with different invasion histories, Ecology and Evolution, 10.1002/ece3.11485, 14, 6, (2024).

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