Diving into Diversity: Parasites in Georgia's Waters
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Population Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
In the Preisser Lab, we are interested in describing the biodiversity of parasites in Georgia. To understand the spatial and temporal variations in parasitic communities among different fish species in the Etowah River, our project utilized the fluid preserved fish specimens contained in KSU’s Mountains to Metro Biodiversity Collection. Contained within the collection are fishes that were collected from two differing regions of the Etowah River. We posit that due to possible regional differences, there will be differences in the prevalence, mean abundance, and the mean intensity of parasites found in the investigated regions. Parasites play a crucial role in ecosystems by cycling nutrients and regulating host populations. In aquatic systems, parasites often move from invertebrate hosts to fish hosts, forming an integral part of the ecosystem's balance. Consequently, the absence of parasites in fish populations may indicate an ecological imbalance or disruption in the natural processes of the ecosystem. Therefore, the presence of parasites in fish serves as an indicator of a healthy and functioning ecosystem, highlighting the interconnectedness of species within aquatic environments. To conduct our research, we follow a systematic set of lab procedures. Our research protocol follows a systematic approach: we document sampling location, standard length, and fish species before dissecting each specimen. Dissection begins by removing the gills and eye from one side of the fish and making an incision at the cloaca on the ventral side of the individual. After this incision is made, the visceral organs are completely removed to check for parasites. Our findings suggest that location significantly influences host exposure to parasitic infections, with environmental conditions in different Georgia regions shaping parasite communities. Furthermore, our research aids in pinpointing prevalent parasites and their associated locations within these regions.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Whitney Preisser
Diving into Diversity: Parasites in Georgia's Waters
In the Preisser Lab, we are interested in describing the biodiversity of parasites in Georgia. To understand the spatial and temporal variations in parasitic communities among different fish species in the Etowah River, our project utilized the fluid preserved fish specimens contained in KSU’s Mountains to Metro Biodiversity Collection. Contained within the collection are fishes that were collected from two differing regions of the Etowah River. We posit that due to possible regional differences, there will be differences in the prevalence, mean abundance, and the mean intensity of parasites found in the investigated regions. Parasites play a crucial role in ecosystems by cycling nutrients and regulating host populations. In aquatic systems, parasites often move from invertebrate hosts to fish hosts, forming an integral part of the ecosystem's balance. Consequently, the absence of parasites in fish populations may indicate an ecological imbalance or disruption in the natural processes of the ecosystem. Therefore, the presence of parasites in fish serves as an indicator of a healthy and functioning ecosystem, highlighting the interconnectedness of species within aquatic environments. To conduct our research, we follow a systematic set of lab procedures. Our research protocol follows a systematic approach: we document sampling location, standard length, and fish species before dissecting each specimen. Dissection begins by removing the gills and eye from one side of the fish and making an incision at the cloaca on the ventral side of the individual. After this incision is made, the visceral organs are completely removed to check for parasites. Our findings suggest that location significantly influences host exposure to parasitic infections, with environmental conditions in different Georgia regions shaping parasite communities. Furthermore, our research aids in pinpointing prevalent parasites and their associated locations within these regions.