10.5061/DRYAD.3NB53
Marwaha, Janhavi
University of Bergen
Jensen, Knut Helge
University of Bergen
Jakobsen, Per Johan
University of Bergen
Geist, Juergen
Technical University Munich
Data from: Duration of the parasitic phase determines subsequent
performance in juvenile freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera
margaritifera)
Dryad
dataset
2017
2017-12-28T00:00:00Z
2017-12-28T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2740
19997 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Host–parasite systems have been useful in understanding coevolutionary
patterns in sympatric species. Based on the exceptional interaction of the
long-lived and highly host-specific freshwater pearl mussel (FPM;
Margaritifera margaritifera) with its much shorter-lived host fish (Salmo
trutta or Salmo salar), we tested the hypotheses that a longer duration of
the parasitic phase increases fitness-related performance of mussels in
their subsequent post parasitic phase, and that temperature is the main
factor governing the duration of the parasitic phase. We collected
juvenile mussels from naturally and artificially infested fish from eight
rivers in Norway. Excysted juvenile mussels were maintained separately for
each collection day, under similar temperature and food regimes, for up to
56 days. We recorded size at excystment, post excystment growth, and
survival as indicators of juvenile fitness in relation to the duration of
the parasitic phase. We also recorded the daily average temperatures for
the entire excystment period. We observed strong positive relationships
between the length of the parasitic phase and the post parasitic growth
rate, size at excystment and post parasitic survival. Temperature was
identified as an important factor governing excystment, with higher
temperatures decreasing the duration of the parasitic phase. Our results
indicate that juvenile mussels with the longest parasitic phase have
better resources (larger size and better growth rate) to start their
benthic developmental phase and therefore to survive their first winter.
Consequently, the parasitic phase is crucial in determining subsequent
survival. The temperature dependence of this interaction suggests that
climate change may affect the sensitive relationship between endangered
FPMs and their fish hosts.
MarMa_datasetSize and survival data collected from juvenile mussels
(Margaritifera margaritifera) from 8 river populations from southern
Norway.