Ecological functions of zoosporic hyperparasites

Abstract

Zoosporic parasites have received increased attention during the last years, but it is still largely unnoted that these parasites can themselves be infected by hyperparasites. Some members of the Chytridiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Cryptomycota, Hyphochytriomycota, Labyrinthulomycota, Oomycota, and Phytomyxea are hyperparasites of zoosporic hosts. Because of sometimes complex tripartite interactions between hyperparasite, their parasite-host, and the primary host, hyperparasites can be difficult to detect and monitor. Some of these hyperparasites use similar mechanisms as their parasite-hosts to find and infect their target and to access food resources. The life cycle of zoosporic hyperparasites is usually shorter than the life cycle of their hosts, so hyperparasites may accelerate the turnaround times of nutrients within the ecosystem. Hyperparasites may increase the complexity of food webs and play significant roles in regulating population sizes and population dynamics of their hosts. We suggest that hyperparasites lengthen food chains but can also play a role in conducting or suppressing diseases of animals, plants, or algae. Hyperparasites can significantly impact ecosystems in various ways, therefore it is important to increase our understanding about these cryptic and diverse organisms.

Temporal and spatial variations in the composition of freshwater photosynthetic picoeukaryotes revealed by MiSeq sequencing from flow cytometry sorted samples

“…Furthermore, the results of mantel test also showed that the photosynthetic and nonpigmented groups were significantly correlated in both lakes ( P = 0.001 in both lakes). Therefore, we hypothesizes that the broad diversity of nonpigmented eukaryotes unveiled in the sorted samples also implied a potential diversity of ecological functional interactions and highlighted their importance among the smallest eukaryotic community, particularly, the recently widely researched parasitism (Lefevre et al ., ; Lepère et al ., ; Sime‐Ngando and Niquil, ; Dunne et al ., ; Gleason et al ., ).…”

Parasitic Eukaryotes in a Meso-Eutrophic Coastal System with Marked Phaeocystis globosa Blooms

“…Still, at this level of taxonomic identification and the lack of any knowledge of their ecology does not allow us to make any further hypothesis about their role. For example, many members of zoosporic fungi are hyperparasites having complex tripartite interactions and are consequently difficult to monitor (Gleason et al, 2014). Among Fungi, Chytridiomycota gain more and more attention since a large number of phytoplankton and invertebrate taxa are affected by chytrid parasites.…”

Integrating chytrid fungal parasites into plankton ecology: research gaps and needs

“…This paper aims to synthesize novel notions stressing the biological relevance of phytoplankton chytridiomycosis, keeping a focus on the immediate research needs. Our intent is not to recreate existing reviews on the topic (Ibelings et al ., ; Gleason et al ., ; Sime‐Ngando, ; Kagami et al ., ; Gerphagnon et al ., ; Jephcott et al ., ). Rather, we aim to (i) briefly highlight the profound and multifaceted impact of chytrid parasitism on phytoplankton dynamics, (ii) identify the current major gaps in knowledge and (iii) propose future directions to bridge them.…”