Drivers of aquatic zoosporic parasites in natural and artificial environments

Abstract

This review, based on more than 500 scientific studies published between 1880 and 2025, summarises current knowledge on the complex relationships between aquatic zoosporic parasites (AZP) and their hosts, the physical and chemical properties of the environment and the many surrounding organisms, to outline the key drivers of AZP diversity, abundance and infection success. It emphasises the urgent need to focus research on the influence of global climate and undesirable anthropogenically driven changes, such as eutrophication, pollution and biological invasions. Knowledge gaps are identified, along with research needs to decipher the diverse responses of AZP to ongoing changes in abiotic and biotic drivers. We believe that the summarised data and highlighted open research questions will benefit future research and help to better conserve natural biodiversity and manage artificial aquatic systems.