TY - JOUR T1 - Digenean metacercariae parasites as natural tags of habitat use by 0-group common sole Solea solea in nearshore coastal areas: A case study in the embayed system of the Pertuis Charentais (Bay of Biscay, France) A1 - Durieux,Eric A1 - Begout,Marie-Laure A1 - Pinet,Patrick A1 - Sasal,Pierre AD - IFREMER, Lab Ressources Halieut, F-17137 Lhoumeau, France. AD - Univ Perpignan, Lab Biol & Ecol Trop & Mediterraneenne, UMR CNRS EPHE UPVD 5244, F-66860 Perpignan, France. AD - CRIOBE, UMS CNRS EPHE 2978, Moorea, Fr Polynesia. UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2009.10.005 DO - 10.1016/j.seares.2009.10.005 KW - Flatfish KW - Juveniles KW - Trematodes KW - Parasite Community KW - Spatio-temporal Dynamics KW - Habitat Use N2 - This study focused on the spatio-temporal variation in the host-parasite system, 0-group sole-digenean metacercariae, in nearshore coastal areas at relatively small spatial scale. 0-group soles were sampled using a standard beam trawl in April, May, June, August and October 2005 at nine different sites in the Pertuis Charentais area (Bay of Biscay, France). Sole density, size, Fulton's condition factor K and digenean metacercariae communities were analysed. 0-group sole concentrated in shallow and muddy areas where they accumulated digenean metacercariae. Parasite communities displayed strong spatial patterns tightly linked to the distribution of the first intermediate mollusc hosts. These parasitological data suggest that 0-group sole during their first period of growth are mainly sedentary with limited movements between the different parts of the habitat. Size and density data revealed spatial heterogeneity in terms of habitat quality so that a limited zone (Aiguillon Bay) within the study area could be identified as sensu stricto nursery habitat for 0-group sole. The use of digenean metacercariae as natural tags appears as a novel powerful tool to evaluate habitat use and movements of juvenile flatfish, which could find applications in fisheries and coastal zone management programs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Y1 - 2010/07 PB - Elsevier Science Bv JF - Journal Of Sea Research SN - 1385-1101 VL - 64 IS - 1-2 SP - 107 EP - 117 ID - 11924 ER -