Temporal stability of polymorphic Arctic charr parasite communities reflect sustained divergent trophic niches

• Main Authors: Rochat, Eloise, Paterson, Rachel, Blasco-Costa, Isabel, Power, Michael, Adams, Colin, Greer, Ron, Knudsen, Rune
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2022
• Subjects: trophically transmitted parasites; Salvelinus alpinus; Stable isotopes; Scotland; introduced species; Arctic charr; Zooplankton
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3f2

Polymorphic Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations frequently display distinct differences in habitat use, diet and parasite communities. Changes to the relative species densities and composition of the wider fish community have the potential to alter the habitat-niche of sympatric Arctic charr populations. This study evaluated the temporal stability of the parasite community, diet and stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) of three sympatric Arctic charr morphs (piscivore, benthivore and planktivore) from Loch Rannoch, Scotland, in relation to changes to the fish community. All Arctic charr morphs displayed distinct differences parasite communities, diet and stable isotope signatures over time, despite the establishment of four new trophically transmitted parasite taxa, and increased fish and zooplankton consumption by the piscivorous and planktivore morphs respectively. Native parasite prevalence also increased in all Arctic charr morphs. Overall, Loch Rannoch polymorphic Arctic charr morph populations have maintained their distinct trophic niches and parasite communities through time despite changes in the fish community. This result indicates that restocking of a native fish species has the potential to induce shifts in the parasite community and diet of Arctic charr morphs. Please see the README document ("README.md") and the accompanying published article: Rochat E.C. , Paterson R.A., Blasco-Costa I., Power M., Adams C.E., Greer R. and Knudsen R. (2022) "Temporal stability of polymorphic Arctic charr parasite communities reflect sustained divergent trophic niches" Accepted: Ecology and evolution (ID: ECE39460). Funding provided by: Cardiff University Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000866 Award Number: Funding provided by: AquaWales* Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Horizon 2020 Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007601 Award Number: Funding provided by: H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Crossref Funder Registry ID: ...