Effects of stochastic environmental variation on the population dynamics of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in Newfoundland and Labrador
Salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis are a marine parasite causing a significant economic burden in salmonid aquaculture. They experience both temperature-dependent growth and salinity-dependent mortality, impacting population dynamics. Many models have explored the effect of static or seasonal envir...
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Format: | Thesis |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Memorial University of Newfoundland
2022
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Online Access: | https://research.library.mun.ca/15559/ https://research.library.mun.ca/15559/1/thesis.pdf |
Summary: | Salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis are a marine parasite causing a significant economic burden in salmonid aquaculture. They experience both temperature-dependent growth and salinity-dependent mortality, impacting population dynamics. Many models have explored the effect of static or seasonal environmental conditions on salmon lice population dynamics, yet none have explored the impact of short-term daily environmental fluctuations. I derived a stochastic population model with daily variability in temperature and salinity, where these fluctuations effect population dynamics through temperature-dependent maturation and salinity-dependent mortality changes. I found that increasing variability in salinity slows population growth rates and decreases the logarithmic abundance of adult females, while increasing daily variability in temperature is a poor indicator of population dynamics, which is better predicted by seasonal temperature trends. Under all stochastic environmental scenarios salmon lice populations persisted and grew in Newfoundland, Canada. Population models are a valuable tool in the management of salmon lice and allow for more sustainable aquaculture practices. |
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