Effects of genetic diversity on health status and parasitological traits in a wild fish population inhabiting a coastal lagoon

Cruz, Alejandra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5128-7035; Lantero, Esther ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3337-1118; Llinares, Carla ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0028-9564; Ortega-Díaz, Laura ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6072-3210; Castillo-García, Gema ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1034-2138; Torralva, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1517-3337; Oliva-Paterna, Francisco J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8288-5321; Fletcher, David H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5029-7453; Almeida, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0592-7174. 2025 Effects of genetic diversity on health status and parasitological traits in a wild fish population inhabiting a coastal lagoon. Animals, 15 (15), 2195. 22, pp. 10.3390/ani15152195

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Abstract/Summary

Host genetic variability is relevant to understanding how parasites modulate natural selection in wild fish populations. Coastal lagoons are transitional ecosystems where knowledge lacks on relationships between genotypic diversity with parasitism. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of genetic diversity on host health and parasitological traits in fish inhabiting a Mediterranean lagoon. Black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster were collected in August 2023 and 2024 from the Mar Menor (Iberian lagoon, SE Spain). Genetic diversity was measured as Internal Relatedness (IR: a homozygosity index from microsatellite markers). Population frequency was lower for the medium IR level. For this same category, both health indices (external body condition and internal organs) indicated a worse status. Parasite prevalence, abundance and an index of life-cycle complexity (heteroxenous species) were greater for the medium level of genetic diversity. Such results are explained under a scenario of parasite-mediated disruptive selection: a higher disease pressure against the phenotypically intermediate individuals. Two contrasting strategies were detected to better control parasitism at the host genotypic level: (1) high homozygosity, and (2) high heterozygosity, which probably reflects better immuno-competence as a phenotypic trait. From an evolutionary perspective, parasites play a crucial role in shaping genetic diversity within host populations.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.3390/ani15152195
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Land-Atmosphere Interactions (2025-)
ISSN:	2076-2615
Additional Information:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	black-striped pipefish, body condition, disruptive selection, Iberian Peninsula, life-cycle complexity, Mediterranean Sea
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology Zoology
Date made live:	05 Aug 2025 09:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/540004

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