Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Methylmercury levels in a parasite (Apophallus brevis metacercariae) and its host, yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Methylmercury levels in a parasite (Apophallus brevis metacercariae) and its host, yellow perch... The biomagnification of methylmercury (MeHg) amongst trophic levels results in high levels of this compound in many freshwater fish species. The role of parasites in MeHg cycling and trophic transfer in freshwater systems is largely unknown. This study examined the potential for metacercariae of Apophallus brevis to accumulate and biomagnify MeHg from their second intermediate host, yellow perch, Perca flavescens. Contrary to our prediction that MeHg levels would be higher in parasites than in the host muscle tissue in which they are embedded, we found that concentrations were similar. The lack of increase in MeHg levels from host to parasite may be due to limited assimilation of host muscle tissue or, in part, to low parasite metabolism. Parasite load did not reduce fish growth and subsequently alter MeHg concentrations. This study suggests that relationships between larval parasites and their hosts do not conform to typical patterns of MeHg biomagnification seen in aquatic systems. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

Methylmercury levels in a parasite (Apophallus brevis metacercariae) and its host, yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Download PDF
7 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/springer-journals/methylmercury-levels-in-a-parasite-apophallus-brevis-metacercariae-and-RFKS2ayjQQ

References (47)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 by Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Subject
Life Sciences; Ecosystems; Freshwater & Marine Ecology
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/s10452-007-9104-4
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The biomagnification of methylmercury (MeHg) amongst trophic levels results in high levels of this compound in many freshwater fish species. The role of parasites in MeHg cycling and trophic transfer in freshwater systems is largely unknown. This study examined the potential for metacercariae of Apophallus brevis to accumulate and biomagnify MeHg from their second intermediate host, yellow perch, Perca flavescens. Contrary to our prediction that MeHg levels would be higher in parasites than in the host muscle tissue in which they are embedded, we found that concentrations were similar. The lack of increase in MeHg levels from host to parasite may be due to limited assimilation of host muscle tissue or, in part, to low parasite metabolism. Parasite load did not reduce fish growth and subsequently alter MeHg concentrations. This study suggests that relationships between larval parasites and their hosts do not conform to typical patterns of MeHg biomagnification seen in aquatic systems.

Journal

Aquatic Ecology – Springer Journals

Published: Jun 22, 2007

There are no references for this article.