scholarly journals Rare inventory of trematode diversity in a protected natural reserve

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Schwelm ◽  
Christian Selbach ◽  
Jenia Kremers ◽  
Bernd Sures
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Natural Reserve

AbstractIn the face of ongoing habitat degradation and the biodiversity crisis, natural reserves are important refuges for wildlife. Since most free-living organisms serve as hosts to parasites, the diverse communities in protected areas can be expected to provide suitable habitats for a species-rich parasite fauna. However, to date, assessments of parasite diversity in protected nature reserves are rare. To expand our knowledge of parasite communities in natural habitats, we examined 1994 molluscs belonging to 15 species for trematode infections in a central European natural reserve. The parasitological examination revealed an overall prevalence of 17.3% and a total species richness of 40 trematode species. However, the parasite diversity and prevalence did not differ markedly from trematode communities in non-protected environments, which might be partly explained by a dilution effect caused by a high number of non-host organisms in our study system. The proportion of complex and long life cycles of parasites in the present study is high, indicating complex biotic interactions. We conclude that life cycle complexity, in addition to parasite diversity and trematode species richness, can provide valuable information on ecosystem health and should therefore be considered in future studies.

scholarly journals Diversity of echinostomes (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in their snail hosts at high latitudes

Parasite ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Camila Pantoja ◽  
Anna Faltýnková ◽  
Katie O’Dwyer ◽  
Damien Jouet ◽  
Karl Skírnisson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
Host Life

The biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems globally still leaves much to be discovered, not least in the trematode parasite fauna they support. Echinostome trematode parasites have complex, multiple-host life-cycles, often involving migratory bird definitive hosts, thus leading to widespread distributions. Here, we examined the echinostome diversity in freshwater ecosystems at high latitude locations in Iceland, Finland, Ireland and Alaska (USA). We report 14 echinostome species identified morphologically and molecularly from analyses of nad1 and 28S rDNA sequence data. We found echinostomes parasitising snails of 11 species from the families Lymnaeidae, Planorbidae, Physidae and Valvatidae. The number of echinostome species in different hosts did not vary greatly and ranged from one to three species. Of these 14 trematode species, we discovered four species (Echinoparyphium sp. 1, Echinoparyphium sp. 2, Neopetasiger sp. 5, and Echinostomatidae gen. sp.) as novel in Europe; we provide descriptions for the newly recorded species and those not previously associated with DNA sequences. Two species from Iceland (Neopetasiger islandicus and Echinoparyphium sp. 2) were recorded in both Iceland and North America. All species found in Ireland are new records for this country. Via an integrative taxonomic approach taken, both morphological and molecular data are provided for comparison with future studies to elucidate many of the unknown parasite life cycles and transmission routes. Our reports of species distributions spanning Europe and North America highlight the need for parasite biodiversity assessments across large geographical areas.

Parasite diversity and microsatellite variability in native and introduced populations of four Neogobius species (Gobiidae)

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 139 (11) ◽  
pp. 1493-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. ONDRAČKOVÁ ◽  
A. ŠIMKOVÁ ◽  
K. CIVÁŇOVÁ ◽  
M. VYSKOČILOVÁ ◽  
P. JURAJDA
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
River System ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Source Population ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Parasite Species Richness ◽  
Introduced Populations ◽  
Microsatellite Diversity

SUMMARYSpecies introduced into new areas often show a reduction in parasite and genetic diversity associated to the limited number of founding individuals. In this study, we compared microsatellite and parasite diversity in both native (lower Danube) and introduced populations of 4 Ponto-Caspian gobies, including those (1) introduced from within the same river system (middle Danube; Neogobius kessleri and N. melanostomus), and (2) introduced from a different river system (River Vistula; N. fluviatilis and N. gymnotrachelus). Microsatellite data confirmed the lower Danube as a source population for gobies introduced into the middle Danube. Both native and introduced (same river system) populations of N. kessleri and N. melanostomus had comparable parasite species richness and microsatellite diversity, possibly due to multiple and/or continual migration/introduction of new individuals and the acquisition of local parasites. Reduced parasite species richness and microsatellite diversity were observed in introduced (different river system) populations in the Vistula. A low number of colonists found for N. fluviatilis and N. gymnotrachelus in the Vistula potentially resulted in reduced introduction of parasite species. Insufficient adaptation of the introduced host to local parasite fauna, together with introduction into an historically different drainage system, may also have contributed to the reduced parasite fauna.

The parasitic fauna of the European bison (Bison bonasus) (Linnaeus, 1758) and their impact on the conservation. Part 2 The structure and changes over time

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Karbowiak ◽  
Aleksander Demiaszkiewicz ◽  
Anna Pyziel ◽  
Irena Wita ◽  
Bożena Moskwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Parasite Species Richness ◽  
Ruminant Species

AbstractDuring the last century the recorded parasite fauna of Bison bonasus includes 88 species. These are 22 species of protozoa, 4 trematode species, 4 cestode species, 43 nematode species, 7 mites, 4 Ixodidae ticks, 1 Mallophaga species, 1 Anoplura, and 2 Hippoboscidae flies. There are few monoxenous parasites, the majority of parasites are typical for other Bovidae and Cervidae species and many are newly acquired from Cervidae. This is an evident increased trend in the parasite species richness, in both the prevalence and intensity of infections, which is associated with the bison population size, host status (captive breeding or free-ranging) and the possibility of contact with other ruminant species. In light of the changes to parasite species richness during the last decades, special emphasis shall be given to new parasite species reported in European bison, their pathogenicity and potential implications for conservation.

scholarly journals Mutual and Opposing Responses of Carabid Beetles and Predatory Wasps to Local and Landscape Factors in Vineyards

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 746
Author(s):  
Deniz Uzman ◽  
Martin H. Entling ◽  
Ilona Leyer ◽  
Annette Reineke
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Trophic Group ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Landscape Complexity ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Cavity Nesting

Preserving agro-biodiversity is one of the main means at the moment to counteract the global biodiversity crisis. Vineyard inter-rows offer vegetation covers which could function as foraging grounds for arthropods. Furthermore, organic management and enhanced landscape complexity often support biodiversity. Here, species richness and abundance of two groups of arthropod predators in vineyards were studied. Fifteen pairs of organically and conventionally managed vineyards were chosen along a gradient of landscape complexity in Rhine-Hesse, Germany. Carabid beetles were sampled using pitfall traps and cavity-nesting wasps with trap nests, respectively. Proportions of different land-use types surrounding the vineyards were calculated and inter-row vegetation cover was characterized. Species richness and abundances of both predator groups were not significantly affected by the management system. Likewise, increased cover of semi-natural habitats in the surrounding landscape did not promote their diversity or abundance. Instead, the increasing cover of annual crops diminished both groups. Cavity-nesting wasps profited from dense inter-row vegetation cover, while carabids were disadvantaged. The results indicate that distinct taxa within the same trophic group can respond oppositely to vineyard management. Thus, inter-row vegetation management with densely and sparsely vegetated elements might be best to support predator diversity. Overall, our results suggest that organic viticulture alone is insufficient to assist the studied insect groups, and that other local and landscape management options are needed for their protection.

scholarly journals Effects of habitat degradation on avian guilds in East African papyrus Cyperus papyrus swamps

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya M. D. Maclean ◽  
Mark Hassall ◽  
Rosalind Boar ◽  
Oliver Nasirwa
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Lake Naivasha ◽  
Cyperus Papyrus ◽  
East African ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Avian Guilds ◽  
Total Species

The density and species richness of bird communities in disturbed and undisturbed stands of papyrus Cyperus papyrus were compared. Point counts, corrected for different probabilities of detection in different swamps, suggested that the species richness of bird communities in stands of papyrus disturbed by burning, grazing or pollution was higher than in nearby stands that were not disturbed. However, there were fewer species and individuals of highly specialized birds or species characteristic of papyrus, in disturbed stands than in undisturbed swamps. At < 1 ha-1, the density of Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri in Ugandan swamps was, for example, significantly lower in polluted and burnt sites than in undisturbed papyrus where up to 13 ha-1 were recorded in the centre of swamps. White-winged Swamp Warbler Bradypterus carpalis was only recorded in undisturbed papyrus. In the papyrus that fringes Lake Naivasha in Kenya, outside the geographical range of species restricted to papyrus, disturbance in the form of grazing selects against species classified as swamp-reliant. Species classified as generalist users of papyrus were much less sensitive to disturbance than specialists. The density of swamp specialists was also lower near the edge of swamps, where total species richness was higher. These results are discussed in relation to conservation management of papyrus swamps in East Africa.

scholarly journals Helminths of the Marbled Goby (Pomatoschistus Marmoratus) a Mediterranean Immigrant in the Black Sea Fauna

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. e-25-e-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu. Kvach
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
Cestode Species ◽  
Great Tendency ◽  
Component Community ◽  
Metazoan Parasites

Helminths of the Marbled Goby (Pomatoschistus Marmoratus) a Mediterranean Immigrant in the Black Sea FaunaThe marbled goby,Pomatoschistus marmoratus(Risso, 1810), the Mediterranean immigrant in the Black Sea fauna, was examined for the metazoan parasites. In total, 12 parasite species were found to occurre. The component community consists of 7 trematode species, two nematodes, two acanthocephalans, and one cestode species. Two parasite species (Aphalloides coelomicolaandDichelyne minutus) were represented by both adults and larvae, four parasite species were presented by adults (Asymphylodora pontica, Paratimonia gobii, Acanthocephaloides propinquus, andTelosentis exiguus), and six species were presented by larvae (Bothriocephalus gregarius, Cryptocotyle concavum, C. lingua, Pygidiopsis genata, Timoniella imbutiforme, andContracaecum microcephalum).T. imbutiformehas the great tendency to join the infracommunity. The core of parasite fauna of the marbled goby consists of two specialists,A. coelomicolaandP. gobii, which immigrated to the Black Sea together with their hosts. The co-immigration is a result of co-evolution of the parasites' and host's life cycles.

scholarly journals Trematode diversity reflecting the community structure of Danish freshwater systems: molecular clues

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajiao Duan ◽  
Azmi Al-Jubury ◽  
Per Walter Kania ◽  
Kurt Buchmann
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Lymnaea Stagnalis ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Snail Host ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Trematode Species ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Host Relations

Abstract Background Digenean trematodes are parasitic platyhelminths that use several hosts in their life cycles and are thereby embedded in various ecosystems affected by local environmental conditions. Their presence in a habitat will reflect the presence of different host species and, as such, they can serve as ecological indicators. Only limited information on the occurrence of trematodes and their link to other trophic levels in the Danish freshwater ecosystems is currently available.Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to increase our knowledge in this field. Methods Snails were sampled from 21 freshwater lakes in Denmark, following which shedding procedures were performed, cercariae were recoved and the released parasites were identified using molecular tools (PCR and sequencing). Results A total of 5657 snail hosts belonging to ten species were identified, revealing a highly diverse parasite fauna comprising 22 trematode species. The overall trematode prevalence was 12.6%, but large variations occurred between host species. The snail host Lymnaea stagnalis showed the highest prevalence and also exhibited the highest diversity, accounting for 47.6% of the species richness. Conclusions This survey contributes updated information on parasite–host relations and compatibility and may assist in describing the ecological structure of the investigated Danish freshwater ecosystems.

scholarly journals Family graveyards form underappreciated local plant diversity hotspots in China's agricultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Gong ◽  
Liangtao Li ◽  
Jan C. Axmarcher ◽  
Zhenrong Yu ◽  
Yunhui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Landscape Features ◽  
Habitat Islands ◽  
Local Plant ◽  
Ecological Functioning

AbstractIn the intensively farmed, homogenous agricultural landscape of the North China Plain, family graveyards form distinct cultural landscape features. In addition to their cultural value, these graveyards represent semi-natural habitat islands whose potential roles in biodiversity conservation and ecological functioning has remained poorly understood. In this study, we investigated plant species richness on 199 family graveyards of different ages and sizes. In accordance with biogeography theory, both overall and insect-pollinated plant species richness increased with area and age of graveyards. Even small graveyards show a strong potential for conserving local plant richness, and a mosaic of both large and small family graveyards could play an important role in the conservation of farmland biodiversity and related ecosystem functions. The launch of agri-environmental measures that conserve and create semi-natural habitats, in turn benefitting agricultural biodiversity and ecological functioning, has proven difficult in China due to the shortage of dispensable arable land. Given the great value of family graveyards as semi-natural habitats reflected in our study, we propose to focus preliminary efforts on conserving these landscape features as existing, widespread and culturally important semi-natural habitat islands. This would represent an effective, complementary policy to a subsequent re-establishment of other semi-natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity and ecological functioning in agricultural landscapes.

Partial cutting reduces species richness of fungi on woody debris in oak-rich forests

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1807-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Nordén ◽  
Frank Götmark ◽  
Martin Ryberg ◽  
Heidi Paltto ◽  
Johan Allmér
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
And Control ◽  
Total Species

Partial cutting is increasingly applied in European temperate oak-dominated forests for biofuel harvesting, and to counteract succession in protected stands. Effects on biodiversity of these measures need to be carefully evaluated, and species-rich but neglected taxa such as fungi should be considered. We studied the effects of partial cutting on fungal fruiting bodies on woody debris. In 21 closed canopy forests rich in large oaks in Sweden, on average 25%–30% of the basal area was cut. Fruiting bodies were counted and some were collected in treated and control plots before and after treatment. We found 334 basidiomycete and 47 ascomycete species. Species richness of basidiomycetes declined significantly more in treated plots (on average 26%) than in control plots (on average 13%) between seasons. Species richness of ascomycetes increased by 17% in control plots and decreased by 2% in treated plots. Total species richness was significantly reduced on fine woody debris (1–10 cm in diameter), but not on coarse woody debris (>10 cm). Overall species composition did not change significantly as a result of partial cutting, but red-listed species tended to decrease more in treated plots. We suggest that approximately 30% of the stands should not be thinned, and dead stems and fallen branches should not be removed, to favor saproxylic fungi and their associated fauna.

Growth, Development, and Morphological Differences among Native and Nonnative Prickly Nightshades (Solanum spp.) of the Southeastern United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Bryson ◽  
Krishna N. Reddy ◽  
John D. Byrd
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Solanum Torvum ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Solanum Mammosum ◽  
Weedy Species ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Average Plant ◽  
Morphological Differences

Prickly nightshades are troublesome weeds of natural habitats, pastures, feedlots, right-of-ways, and croplands. Native and nonnative invasive weedy species of prickly nightshades were compared to determine growth, development, and morphological differences. Six (Solanum bahamense, Solanum capsicoides, Solanum carolinense, Solanum dimidiatum, Solanum donianum, and Solanum pumilum) of the 18 species of prickly nightshades studied are native to the US. Two species, Solanum citrullifolium and Solanum rostratum, are annuals; the others are perennials or are short lived perennials or annuals in northern extremes of their range in North America. Tables were developed from new and existing data to differentiate vegetative and reproductive characteristics among 18 species of prickly nightshade found in the southeastern US. In greenhouse experiments, average plant height ranged from 24 and 26 cm (9.45 and 10.24 inch) for S. carolinense and Solanum jamaicense, respectively, to 100 and 105 cm for Solanum tampicense and Solanum sisymbriifolium, respectively at 10 wk after emergence (WAE). By 10 WAE, the average number of leaves per plant ranged from < 10 for S. carolinense and Solanum torvum to > 40 leaves/plant for S. rostratum and S. dimidiatum. Average number of nodes/plant main stem ranged from 11, 12, and 14 nodes in S. jamaicense, S. torvum, and S. carolinense, respectively, to 54 nodes in S. rostratum. Average plant dry weights were collected at 10 WAE and were greatest for Solanum mammosum and (> 17 g/plant) (0.6001 oz/plant) and least for S. carolinense (1 g/plant). Based on these data, nightshade growth rate and dry weight were variable among some species and variability may be a result of phenology and life cycles, annual or perennial. Plants of S. rostratum, an annual, were relatively tall and produced high number of nodes and leaves and had the shortest period from emergence to flower among the prickly nightshades evaluated.

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