Density-dependent effects of parasitism on the activity of a benthic engineer species: potential impact on ecosystem functioning
Data files
Jan 24, 2024 version files 41.01 KB
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dataset_coefficient_OIKOS_Dairain.csv
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dataset_profils_bromide_luminophore_OIKOS_Dairain.csv
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README.md
Abstract
While parasitism is a common lifestyle on Earth, its importance for the functioning of marine ecosystems has been overlooked for a long time. In particular, parasites have significant potential to influence central ecological processes through their impacts on hosts that serve as ecosystem engineers. Using an ex-situ experimental approach, we explored the effects of trematode parasites on the engineering bioturbation activity of a common and abundant bivalve along European Atlantic soft-bottom coastlines, the peppery furrow shell Scrobicularia plana, as well as knock-on effects for nutrient exchanges at the sediment-water interface. Trematodes negatively impacted the host’s ability to transport sediment particles and solutes in a density-dependent way with parasite burden explaining 22–31% of the inter-individual variability. This could be explained by parasitism impairing the bivalve physiological state and ability to burrow as we observed a decrease in the condition index and the burrowing depth of the bivalves with an increase in the number of parasites they host. In contrast, the influence of S. plana on benthic biogeochemical fluxes did not vary significantly according to parasitic burden over a short time scale. Here, we focused on the effects of trematode parasites on the sole behaviour of S. plana and thus excluded other macrofaunal organisms. We should next test whether trematodes modulate the structure and functioning of benthic communities dominated by S. plana to better understand and quantify the engineering role of parasites in soft-bottom coastal environments.
README: Density-dependent effects of parasitism on the activity of a benthic engineer species: potential impact on ecosystem functioning
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5qfttdzd7
This data set encompasses two .csv files, namely "dataset_coefficient_OIKOS_Dairain.csv" and "dataset_profils_bromide_luminophore_OIKOS_Dairain.csv".
Description of the data and file structure
File "dataset_coefficient_OIKOS_Dairain.csv"
In this file, the reader will find values for different coefficients determined for each bivalve. Below are the details of the different column names:
"sample": name of the sample
"site": where the bivalve has been collected.
"bivalve": control vs. with bivalve. Control experimental units did not contain any bivalve.
"replicat": replicate number
"Parvatrema_minutum": infection with the parasite Parvatrema minutum (yes vs no vs NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"Sum_metacercaria_Himasthla": total number of metacercariae of the Himasthla genus in the bivalve (NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"Wet_weight_flesh_mg": wet weight of the bivalve flesh in mg (NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"Dry_weight_flesh_mg": flesh dry weight of the bivalve in mg (NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"AFDW_flesh_mg": ash-free dry weight of the bivalve's flesh in mg (NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"Dry_weight_shell_g" : dry weight of the bivalve's shell in g (NA = not applicable for when there was no bivalve)
"Db_conveyor": biodiffusion rate Db (cm2 y-1)
"vb_conveyor": vb rates (cm2 y-1)
"Maximal_Penetration_Depth_99_luminophore_cm": maximal penetration depth of luminophores in the sediment column (cm)
"Penetration_depth_bromide_cm": maximal penetration depth of bromide in the sediment column (cm)
"Alpha_per_year" : non-local exchange coefficient of bioirrigation (y-1)
"Nitrites_µmol/m2/min" : Flux of nitrites at the sediment-water interface (µmol/m2/min)
"Nitrates_µmol/m2/min": Flux of nitrates at the sediment-water interface (µmol/m2/min)
"Phosphates_µmol/m2/min": Flux of phosphates at the sediment-water interface (µmol/m2/min)
"Silicates_µmol/m2/min": Flux of silicates at the sediment-water interface (µmol/m2/min)
"Ammonium_µmol/m2/min": Flux of nitrites at the sediment-water interface (µmol/m2/min)
"Oxygene_mmol/m2/d": Flux of oxygene at the sediment-water interface (mmol/m2/min) (NA: data not available)
File "dataset_profils_bromide_luminophore_OIKOS_Dairain.csv"
In this file, the reader will find values for concentration of bromides and luminophores at different depht in the sediment column for each sample. It will allow to plot vertical distribution of the two tracers in the sediment column for each sample.
Below are the details of the different column names:
"site": where the bivalve has been collected.
"bivalve": control vs. with bivalve. Control experimental units did not contain any bivalve.
"replicat": replicat number
"Parvatrema_minutum": infection with the parasite Parvatrema minutum (yes vs no)
"Depth_cm": depth in the sediment column (cm)
"Concentration_bromide_µM": concentration of bromide (µM)
"Relative_abundance_luminophore" : relative abundance of luminophore (for each sample, the total abundance equals 1).