Diseases in ocean ecosystems and their dynamics in relation to climate change. In: Winter School on Impact of Climate Change on Indian Marine Fisheries held at CMFRI, Cochin 18.1.2008 to 7.2.2008

Vijayan, K K (2008) Diseases in ocean ecosystems and their dynamics in relation to climate change. In: Winter School on Impact of Climate Change on Indian Marine Fisheries held at CMFRI, Cochin 18.1.2008 to 7.2.2008. [Teaching Resource]

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Abstract

Existing and emerging pathogens pose unusual challenges to marine life, because of their potential to drive rapid changes in the numerical abundance and composition of host populations. Disease outbreaks, due to parasites (protozoans, crustaceans and helminthes) and microbial pathogens (bacteria, fungi and virus) alter the structure and function of marine ecosystems, directly affecting vertebrates and invertebrates. Although the important pathogens in terrestrial ecosystems have long been recognized and studied, the role of diseases in most marine communities is comparatively unknown and such studies are limited. Quantitative analysis of the scientific literature of the past four decades indicates a large increase in the number of reports about marine diseases in molluscs, corals, marine mammals, turtles and echinoderms (Kim et al. 2005; Table1). In this context, it would be of great importance to analyse the basis and timing of marine disease events and pathogen profile in relation to the major environmental events such as climate change. The ecological and biological impacts of diseases in the oceans remain largely unknown in spite of the negative impacts of diseases to the marine ecosystem.

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