Communities of metazoan parasites in seven sympatric skate species (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) from the English Channel and Celtic Sea differing in conservation status

Abstract

AbstractElasmobranch populations are in steep decline mainly due to overfishing bycatch, but parasites may accelerate the collapse of vulnerable and/or highly parasitized species. We therefore studied metazoan parasites of Rajidae from the northeast Atlantic: vulnerable Leucoraja fullonica, near‐threatened Raja brachyura, Raja clavata, Raja microocellata and Raja undulata, and least‐concerned Raja montagui and Leucoraja naevus. Overall prevalence varied from 19% for R. montagui to 100% for L. fullonica. Parasite communities differed between skate species, and prevalence and abundance were higher for L. fullonica, R. microocellata, and R. undulata. We recorded 11 parasite taxa in the study: three nematodes, six cestodes, one monogenean, and one myxosporean. Whatever the skate species, the parasite component community comprised at least two nematode taxa among Phocanema spp., Proleptus sp. and Anisakis simplex. DNA‐sequencing revealed that Phocanema azarasi and Phocanema krabbei both occurred in R. microocellata and R. undulata. Phocanema spp. was first recorded in L. fullonica, L. naevus, R. microocellata, R. montagui, and R. undulata, as Proleptus sp. in L. fullonica, and A. simplex in L. fullonica and R. clavata, Rockacestus sp. and Nybelinia sp. in R. undulata, and gill‐myxosporeans on L. fullonica, L. naevus, R. microocellata, and R. undulata. The occurrence of 16 new host–parasite associations suggests potential environmental changes. Information provided by trophically transmitted helminths confirmed an opportunistic skate diet based on crustaceans and fish. We discuss results in terms of host fitness loss, bioindicator role of parasites, and anisakiasis risk. We recommend incorporating parasitology in research to improve elasmobranch conservation.