Temporal variability of crustacean parasites of fish and its importance for coastal resource management to anthropogenic climate change

Abstract

This paper reviews the information available over the last 20 years on studies of the temporal variability of parasitic infections caused by parasitic crustaceans of fish in the Mexican territory. The possible responses of these parasitic infections to changes in the aquatic ecosystems caused by anthropogenic climate change are described. By studying the intensity of infection of Argulus yucatanus (a case study of parasite crustaceans of fish), the response of infections to changes in water temperature can be detected. Into this context and based on previous investigations reviewed, it is highlighted the importance of monitoring for long-time the behavior of these parasites. Also, it is indicated that parasitic crustaceans represent a good study model as bioindicators of environmental changes because they are in direct contact or exposed to hazardous substances of the environment. Extensive and precise data on parasitic biodiversity along with their ecological and experimental information are necessary to understand the possible responses of the parasitic infections caused by crustaceans in the face of climate change. Based on this kind of information it would be possible to deal with issues on control strategies and prevention of parasitic infections caused by crustaceans in aquaculture as well as for the sustainable development of aquatic ecosystems. Keywords: Long-term monitoring, sentinel species, parasitic infections, parasitic crustaceans, climate change.