ECOLOGY OF HOST-PARASITE INTERACTIONS ON CORAL REEFS

CASUAL SEMINAR IN BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION

Parasites dominate biodiversity on coral reefs, yet their functional roles in coral reef ecosystems remain poorly studied. Our research team is one of the few working at the interface between parasitology and marine ecology. In this presentation, I will summarize research conducted by our research team over the past 15 years. The talk will focus primarily on ectoparasitic gnathiid isopods (so-called “ticks of the sea”) and will include work on their role in cleaning symbiosis, host behavior, trophic transfer, and as vectors.

Paul Sikkel is currently an Associate Professor of Marine Ecology at Arkansas State University, USA. While Paul’s current research focuses primarily on host-parasite interactions in coral reef systems, he was originally trained as a behavioral ecologist, focused primarily on reproductive ecology. His earliest research experience focused on sharks, shifted to smaller reef fishes, and now the myriad parasitic organisms that depend on reef fishes for food. Paul is originally from the Los Angeles area (California) and received his Bachelors degree from UC San Diego, with MS and Ph.D. degrees from Oregon State University. His research is currently based in the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and the Philippines.

[Host: Marta Soares, Ecology and Evolution of Aquatic Organisms and Behavioural Ecology]

Image credits: Paul Sikkel