3.+Parasitism

Symbiosis

=Parasitism (+/-)= This relationship involves on member (the parasite) living and feeding off another organism (host). The health of the host can be affected over time, depending on the parasite how long it lives inside the host. Some parasites only spend a portion of their lives in these type of relationship- having just enough time to grow and reproduce while others may spend their entire life cycle inside their host (Jungwi 3).

__2 Categories of Parasites__

//Ectoparasites// vs //Endoparasites// (external) (internal)

Importance of Parasites

 * Every marine fish species contains 3-4 parasites
 * Estimated there is up to 43,200 marine fish parasites
 * Disease causing
 * Biological Indicators


 * Parasitic Isopod/ Fish**


 * External Parasites are usually crustaceans and are easily visable
 * Special Adaptations
 * isopods- flattened body shape so they are able to streamline along side their host, and sucker organs for attachment. Isopods are able to shed half their exoskeleton at a time unlike crustaceans who shed their entire exoskeleton. This unique adaptation allows the parasite to maintain a grip on its host while shedding (Abbott 3).
 * Sunfish**
 * heaviest bony fish- 6 feet long, 2,200lbs
 * home to 40 different types of parasites including flatworms, roundworms, protozoans, small crustaceans, and sea lice (Borestein 4).[[image:http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/storage/wallpaper/1024x768/OceanSunfish_wallpaper_1024.jpg width="247" height="207" caption="Sunfish"]]