Publications by authors named "Kevin Sanchez-Thirion"
Parasitism is an important process in ecosystems, but has been largely neglected in ecosystem research. However, parasites are involved in most trophic links in food webs with, in turn, a major role in community structure and ecosystem processes. Several studies have shown that higher nutrient availability in ecosystems tends to increase the prevalence of parasites.
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- Autotrophic biofilms are essential in aquatic ecosystems, serving as food for invertebrates and protecting against toxic metals.
- A lab study examined how phosphorus and silver contamination affect the quantity and quality of biofilms, particularly their biochemical and elemental makeup.
- Results revealed that while stressors changed the composition and quality of the biofilms, phosphorus positively influenced growth rates in crustaceans, highlighting the complex interactions between environmental stressors and food web dynamics.
Manipulative parasites often alter the phenotype of their hosts along multiple dimensions. 'Multidimensionality' in host manipulation could consist in the simultaneous alteration of several physiological pathways independently of one another, or proceed from the disruption of some key physiological parameter, followed by a cascade of effects. We compared multidimensionality in 'host manipulation' between two closely related amphipods, Gammarus fossarum and Gammarus pulex, naturally and experimentally infected with Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala), respectively.
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