Life cycles of species of Proteocephalus, parasites of fishes in the Palearctic Region: a review

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Scholz

The life cycles of species of Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) parasitizing fishes in the Palearctic Region are reviewed on the basis of literary data and personal experimental observations, with special attention being paid to the development within the intermediate and definitive hosts. Planktonic crustaceans, diaptomid or cyclopid copepods (Copepoda), serve as the only intermediate hosts of all Proteocephalus species considered. A metacestode, or procercoid, develops in the body cavity of these planktonic crustaceans and the definitive host, a fish, becomes infected directly after consuming them. No previous reports of the parenteral location of metacestodes within the second intermediate host as it is in the Nearctic species P. ambloplitis have been recorded. Thus, the life cycles of Proteocephalus tapeworms resemble in their general patterns those of some pseudophyllidean cestodes such as Eubothrium or Bothriocephalus, differing from the latter in the presence of a floating eggs instead of possessing an operculate egg from which a ciliated, freely swimming larva, a coracidium, is liberated. The scolex of Proteocephalus is already formed at the stage of the procercoid within the copepod intermediate host; in this feature, proteocephalideans resemble caryophyllidean rather than pseudophyllidean cestodes. The morphology of procercoids of individual species is described with respect to the possibility of their differentiation and data on the spectrum of intermediate hosts are summarized. Procercoids of most taxa have a cercomer, which does not contain embryonic hooks in contrast to most pseudophyllidean cestodes. The role of invertebrates (alder-fly larvae — Megaloptera) and small prey fishes feeding upon plankton in the transmission of Proteocephalus tapeworms still remains unclear but these hosts are likely to occur in the life cycle. Data on the establishment of procercoids in definitive hosts, morphogenesis of tapeworms within fish hosts, and the length of the prepatent period are still scarce and new observations are needed. Whereas extensive information exists on the development of P. longicollis (syns. P. exiguus and P. neglectus), almost no data are available on the ontogeny of other taxa, in particular those occurring in brackish waters (P. gobiorum, P. tetrastomus). The morphology of P. cernuae and P. osculatus procercoids from experimentally infected intermediate hosts is described for the first time.

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (9) ◽  
pp. 1183-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTIN K. HERRMANN ◽  
ROBERT POULIN

SUMMARYEach transmission event in complex, multi-host life cycles create obstacles selecting for adaptations by trematodes. One such adaptation is life cycle abbreviation through progenesis, in which the trematode precociously matures and reproduces within the second intermediate host. Progenesis eliminates the need for the definitive host and increases the chance of life cycle completion. However, progenetic individuals face egg-dispersal challenges associated with reproducing within metacercarial cysts in the tissues or body cavity of the second intermediate host. Most progenetic species await host death for their eggs to be released into the environment. The present study investigated temporal variation of progenesis in Stegodexamene anguillae in one of its second intermediate fish hosts and the effect of the fish's reproductive cycle on progenesis. The study involved monthly sampling over 13 months at one locality. A greater proportion of individuals became progenetic in the gonads of female fish hosts. Additionally, progenesis of worms in the gonads was correlated with seasonal daylight and temperature changes, major factors controlling fish reproduction. Host spawning events are likely to be an avenue of egg dispersal for this progenetic species, with the adoption of progenesis being conditional on whether or not the parasite can benefit from fish spawning.


1945 ◽  
Vol 23d (4) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Miller

The plerocercoids of Triaenophorus crassus encyst normally in the flesh of fishes of the genus Leucichthys; the whitefishes, Coregonus clupeaformis and Prosopium oregonium, are common alternative hosts in Lesser Slave Lake. Elsewhere lake trout, Cristivomer namaycush, and possibly the inconnu, Stenodus leucichthys, may occasionally serve as hosts.The procercoids arrive in the stomach of their second intermediate host while in the body cavity of Cyclops bicuspidatus. When they are liberated by digestion, the majority apparently enter pyloric caeca, penetrate these, cross the body cavity, and enter the flesh, where encystment as the plerocercoid takes place. The evidence for these movements is only partial. The plerocercoids encyst in the flesh in July each year. They remain three or four years and then disappear by drying up or being reduced to small calcareous nodules.The number of plerocercoids per fish increases with the age of the fish up to five or six years.


1998 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Cristina Brandão Diniz de Oliveira Bonetti ◽  
Carlos Graeff-Teixeira

Human accidental infection with Angiostrongylus costaricensis may result in abdominal disease of varied severity. Slugs from the Veronicellidae family are the main intermediate hosts for this parasitic nematode of rodents. Phyllocaulis variegatus, Phyllocaulis soleiformis and Phyllocaulis boraceiensis were experimentally infected to describe the kinetics of L3 elimination in the mucus secretions of those veronicelid species. A maximum of 2 L3/g/day was found in the mucus, while the number of L3 isolated from the fibromuscular tissues varied from 14 to 448. Productive infection was established by inoculations in the hyponotum or in the body cavity, through the tegument. Intra-cavity injection is a less complex procedure and permits a better control of inocula. A preliminary trial to titrate the infective dosis for P. variegatus indicated that inocula should range between 1000 and 5000 L1. The data also confirmed the importance of P. variegatus as an intermediate host of A. costaricensis.


Parasitology ◽  
1933 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Brown

1. The life history of Lecithodendrium chilostomum has been established; C. Lecithodendrii chilostomi penetrates a second intermediate host, the larva of Phryganea grandis, and unlike other stylet cercariae does not encyst, but feeds and grows in the host tissue as a mobile metacercaria. During pupation of the host in the following year these mobile forms migrate from the abdominal segments of the larva to the thorax, where they then encyst in the thoracic muscles in which they are also found in the imago. The largest metacercariae and the excysted worms are typical early adult Lecithodendrium chilostomum. No case of progenesis in the metacercaria was found.2. It is estimated that the maximum swarming of the cercariae probably occurs during July, when first penetration of the intermediate host takes place. Subsequent diminished swarming and penetration proceed until November. The life of the larval trematode as a mobile metacercaria is approximately 8 months; the imagines of Phryganea grandis emerge during May and June, the infective period for the final host.3. The metacercariae are not distributed throughout the body cavity of their larval host, but the majority are confined to the three posterior segments.4. Limnophilus rhombicus may also serve as a second intermediate host, but the infection is very light and the metacercariae do not encyst during pupation of this host.5. The excretory system has been determined in all stages of Lecithodendrium chilostomum; it is of the 2 (6 × 2) type. The occurrence of this type of system in other groups of cercariae is reviewed and since it is found in several widely separated families, it is suggested that its presence does not necessarily imply relationship, but is due to convergence.6. The life histories of the following bat trematodes are indicated: Lecitho-dendrium lagena, Plagiorchis vespertilionis and Crepidostomum moeticus.7. The life history of Dicrocoelium dendriticum is discussed.


1957 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 203-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy C. Anderson

The evolution of the life cycles of the members of the family Dipetalonematiidae Wehr, 1935 (Filarioidea) is considered in the light of existing knowledge of spirurid nematodes. The hypothesis that the life cycles of the dipetalonematids originated from life cycles similar to those of Draschia megastoma, Habronema muscae and H. microstoma is considered to be incorrect. Alternatively, it is pointed out that in the primitive subfamily Thelaziinae Baylis and Daubney, 1926 there are forms with typical spiruroid life cycles (Rhabdochona ovifilamenta), forms with life cycles approaching those of the dipetalonematids (Thelazia spp.), and forms with life cycles intermediate between these two (Oxyspirura spp.). It is suggested that intestinal species similar to Rhabdochona gave rise to the more specialized spiruroids and forms that left the gut (Oxyspirura, Thelazia) gave rise to the dipetalonematids.The dipetalonematids are believed to have originated from nematodes resembling the species of Thelazia and having life cycles like those of T. rhodesii, T. skrjabini and T. gulosa. Some of these worms established themselves in subcutaneous tissues. Like Parafilaria multipapillosa, they released their eggs through a break in the skin of the definitive host, thus causing a skin lesion that attracted various haematophagous arthropods which finally became involved as intermediate hosts in the life cycle. Certain species like the members of Parafilaria and Stephanofilaria (?) came to rely upon intermediate hosts that were unable to break the skin of the definitive host (Musca) and cutaneous lesions became permanent features of their life cycles. Other species became dependent upon intermediate hosts that could puncture the skin (mosquitoes, simuliids etc.) and skin lesions became unnecessary to the life cycle. The larvae of these worms then began to spread into the tissues of the skin, as found in Stephanofilaria, Onchocerca, and some species of Dipetalonema, and the infective larvae developed the ability to penetrate into the wound made by the intermediate host and perhaps, in some cases, the intact skin. Ultimately the larvae of some species habitually entered, or were deposited into, the blood stream and the adult worms were then free to colonize the vertebrate body as their larvae would then be available to the intermediate host no matter where the latter fed on the body of the definitive host; this group of worms gave rise to the many members of the family Dipetalonematidae.The family Filariidae Claus, 1883 is briefly reviewed in the light of the above hypothesis. It is pointed out that many species, e.g. Diplotriaeninae Skrjabin, 1916, live in the air sacs of reptiles and birds and probably have life cycles similar to that of Diplotriaenoides translucidus, i.e. the eggs pass through the lungs, up the trachea and out in the faeces. It is thought that these forms may represent a separate line of evolution from that which gave rise to the Dipetalonematidae. Certain genera (Lissonema, Aprocta), occurring in the orbits of birds, probably have life cycles like Thelazia or Oxyspirura. Many other genera occurring in superficial muscles and subcutaneous tissues (Squamofilaria, Ularofilaria, Tetracheilonema, Pelecitus, Monopetalonema) may release their eggs through some sort of skin lesion. Studies on these forms are urgently needed as the details of their life cycles may shed fresh light on the origins of the more specialized filarioids.


Author(s):  
Mériame Gam ◽  
Hocein Bazaïri ◽  
K. Thomas Jensen ◽  
Xavier de Montaudouin

The metazoan parasite community of Cerastoderma edule was studied in the southern geographical range of the host (the coastal lagoon Merja Zerga, Morocco). A total of 11 metazoan species was found in cockles. Nine of these were trematodes using cockles as either first intermediate host (three species) or second intermediate host (six species). In addition, two other endo-metazoan species (Pinnotheres pisum and Paravortex cardii) were recorded from cockles in the studied lagoon. All the observed metazoans in cockles from Merja Zerga have previously been recorded at sites north of Africa.Up to 10% of the cockles in the studied size-groups were first intermediate hosts to castrating parasites (Gymnophallus choledochus, Labratrema minimus and Monorchis parvus). Among trematodes having metacercariae in cockles (second intermediate host) Meiogymnophallus minutus was the most widespread as it was observed in all cockles from all the examined habitats in the lagoon and it occurred in record high intensities. Different sub-communities of the trematode fauna using cockles as second intermediate host could be identified (subtidal vs intertidal associations).The richness and species composition of the macroparasite community in cockles from Morocco are discussed in relation to patterns seen in cockles from other sites along their geographical range. Migratory fish and waterbirds (final hosts) are generally responsible for the large scale spread (latitudinal spread) of trematodes. However, the distributional patterns of involved intermediate hosts in the life-cycles of the different trematode species in cockles are determining the richness and species composition patterns seen in cockles at shallow water sites along the east Atlantic shoreline.


1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cleveland ◽  
G. C. Kearn

ABSTRACTAn echinostome cercaria (? Cercaria spinifera La Valette, 1855) with 37 collar spines and paraoesophageal glands has been recorded for the first time in Britain from the gastropod Planorbarius corneus. The cercariae penetrate into and encyst in planarians. Observations made on cercariae during penetration indicate that the paraoesophageal glands are used to enter the body of the planarian and that the so-called penetration glands have some other function. Gastropod molluscs may also serve as second intermediate hosts, but there is evidence to indicate that anatomically similar cercariae from different host individuals vary in their second intermediate host preferences.


Parasitology ◽  
1938 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horace W. Stunkard

When eggs ofMonieza expansaare fed to galumnid mites, the onchospheres emerge in the intestine and migrate to the body cavity. Here they undergo metamorphosis and develop into cysticercoids. The dissection of mites, at various intervals after exposure, has yielded a successive series of developmental stages. Protocols of the experiments and photographs of living larvae are presented. These results demonstrate that mites serve as intermediate hosts ofMoniezia, and probably also of other anoplocephaline cestodes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Pyrka ◽  
Gerard Kanarek ◽  
Grzegorz Zaleśny ◽  
Joanna Hildebrand

Abstract Background Leeches (Hirudinida) play a significant role as intermediate hosts in the circulation of trematodes in the aquatic environment. However, species richness and the molecular diversity and phylogeny of larval stages of strigeid trematodes (tetracotyle) occurring in this group of aquatic invertebrates remain poorly understood. Here, we report our use of recently obtained sequences of several molecular markers to analyse some aspects of the ecology, taxonomy and phylogeny of the genera Australapatemon and Cotylurus, which utilise leeches as intermediate hosts. Methods From April 2017 to September 2018, 153 leeches were collected from several sampling stations in small rivers with slow-flowing waters and related drainage canals located in three regions of Poland. The distinctive forms of tetracotyle metacercariae collected from leeches supplemented with adult Strigeidae specimens sampled from a wide range of water birds were analysed using the 28S rDNA partial gene, the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) region and the cytochrome c oxidase (COI) fragment. Results Among investigated leeches, metacercariae of the tetracotyle type were detected in the parenchyma and musculature of 62 specimens (prevalence 40.5%) with a mean intensity reaching 19.9 individuals. The taxonomic generic affiliation of metacercariae derived from the leeches revealed the occurrence of two strigeid genera: Australapatemon Sudarikov, 1959 and Cotylurus Szidat, 1928. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the partial 28S rRNA gene, ITS2 region and partial COI gene confirmed the separation of the Australapatemon and Cotylurus clades. Taking currently available molecular data and our results into consideration, recently sequenced tetracotyle of Australapatemon represents most probably Au. minor; however, unclear phylogenetic relationships between Au. burti and Au. minor reduce the reliability of this conclusion. On the other hand, on the basis of the obtained sequences, supplemented with previously published data, the metacercariae of Cotylurus detected in leeches were identified as two species: C. strigeoides Dubois, 1958 and C. syrius Dubois, 1934. This is the first record of C. syrius from the intermediate host. Conclusions The results of this study suggest the separation of ecological niches and life cycles between C. cornutus (Rudolphi, 1808) and C. strigeoides/C. syrius, with potential serious evolutionary consequences for a wide range of host–parasite relationships. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses corroborated the polyphyletic character of C. syrius, the unclear status of C. cornutus and the separate position of Cotylurus raabei Bezubik, 1958 within Cotylurus. The data demonstrate the inconsistent taxonomic status of the sequenced tetracotyle of Australapatemon, resulting, in our opinion, from the limited availability of fully reliable, comparative sequences of related taxa in GenBank.


Parasite ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Kristina M. Hill-Spanik ◽  
Claudia Sams ◽  
Vincent A. Connors ◽  
Tessa Bricker ◽  
Isaure de Buron

The coquina, Donax variabilis, is a known intermediate host of monorchiid and gymnophallid digeneans. Limited morphological criteria for the host and the digeneans’ larval stages have caused confusion in records. Herein, identities of coquinas from the United States (US) Atlantic coast were verified molecularly. We demonstrate that the current GenBank sequences for D. variabilis are erroneous, with the US sequence referring to D. fossor. Two cercariae and three metacercariae previously described in the Gulf of Mexico and one new cercaria were identified morphologically and molecularly, with only metacercariae occurring in both hosts. On the Southeast Atlantic coast, D. variabilis’ role is limited to being a facultative second intermediate host, and D. fossor, an older species, acts as both first and second intermediate hosts. Sequencing demonstrated 100% similarities between larval stages for each of the three digeneans. Sporocysts, single tail cercariae, and metacercariae in the incurrent siphon had sequences identical to those of monorchiid Lasiotocus trachinoti, for which we provide the complete life cycle. Adults are not known for the other two digeneans, and sequences from their larval stages were not identical to any in GenBank. Large sporocysts, cercariae (Cercaria choanura), and metacercariae in the coquinas’ foot were identified as Lasiotocus choanura (Hopkins, 1958) n. comb. Small sporocysts, furcocercous cercariae, and metacercariae in the mantle were identified as gymnophallid Parvatrema cf. donacis. We clarify records wherein authors recognized the three digenean species but confused their life stages, and probably the hosts, as D. variabilis is sympatric with cryptic D. texasianus in the Gulf of Mexico.


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