Amphipod disease: model systems, invasions and systematics—Introduction to DAO Special 8

ABSTRACT: Amphipods are a group of globally abundant Crustacea present throughout terrestrial,
marine and freshwater ecosystems. These organisms host a highly diverse systematic assemblage
of parasites and pathogens, which are closely linked to the host’s evolution and ecological
niche. Such symbioses have been found to affect the behaviour, physiology and overall health of
amphipod hosts; including effects at both the individual and population scale, altering aquatic
trophic structure and possibly representing far reaching consequences for fisheries species and
predatory species. Amphipod diseases explored in this Special have been linked with biological
invasions, systematics, behavioural ecology, ecotoxicology, epidemiology, host physiology and
cannibalistic tendencies. These studies exemplify the importance of amphipod research and provide
keystone studies for the use of these animals as model systems for understanding the effects
of disease in crustacean assemblages.