scholarly journals Differential influence of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) on brain serotonergic activity in two congeneric host species

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Tain ◽  
Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ◽  
Frank Cézilly
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Immunocytochemical Staining ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
Gammarus Roeseli ◽  
Serotonergic Activity ◽  
Local Host ◽  
Acanthocephalan Parasite

The physiological mechanisms by which parasites with complex life cycles manipulate the behaviour of their intermediate hosts are still poorly understood. In Burgundy, eastern France, the acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis inverses reaction to light in its amphipod host Gammarus pulex , but not in Gammarus roeseli , a recent invasive species. Here, we show that this difference in manipulation actually reflects a difference in the ability of the parasite to alter brain serotonergic (5-HT) activity of the two host species. Injection of 5-HT in uninfected individuals of both host species was sufficient to inverse reaction to light. However, a difference in brain 5-HT immunocytochemical staining levels between infected and uninfected individuals was observed only in G. pulex . Local adaptation of the parasite to the local host species might explain its inability to manipulate the behaviour and nervous system of the invasive species.

scholarly journals Parasite-induced colour alteration of intermediate hosts increases ingestion by suitable final host species

Behaviour ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 156 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 1329-1348
Author(s):  
Timo Thünken ◽  
Sebastian A. Baldauf ◽  
Nicole Bersau ◽  
Joachim G. Frommen ◽  
Theo C.M. Bakker
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Final Host ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Body Colouration ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Acanthocephalan Parasite ◽  
Parasitic Manipulation

Abstract Parasites with complex life cycles often alter the phenotypic appearance of their intermediate hosts in order to facilitate ingestion by the final host. However, such manipulation can be costly as it might increase ingestion by less suitable or dead-end hosts as well. Species-specific parasitic manipulation is a way to enhance the transmission to suitable final hosts. Here, we experimentally show that the altered body colouration of the intermediate host Gammarus pulex caused by its acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis differently affects predation by different fish species (barbel, perch, ruffe, brown trout and two populations of three-spined stickleback) depending on their suitability to act as final host. Species that were responsive to colour manipulation in a predation experiment were more susceptible to infection with P. laevis than unresponsive species. Furthermore, three-spined stickleback from different populations responded to parasite manipulation in opposite directions. Such increased ingestion of the intermediate host by preferred and suitable hosts suggests fine-tuned adaptive parasitic manipulation and sheds light on the ongoing evolutionary arms race between hosts and manipulative parasites.

scholarly journals Effects of parasites upon non-host predator avoidance behaviour in native and invasive gammarids

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sajad Farahani ◽  
Per J. Palsbøll ◽  
Ido Pen ◽  
Jan Komdeur
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fundamental Question ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Gammarus Fossarum ◽  
Acanthocephalan Parasite

Abstract The acanthocephalan parasite, Polymorphus minutus, manipulates its intermediate hosts' (gammarids) behaviour, presumably to facilitate its transmission to the definitive hosts. A fundamental question is whether this capability has evolved to target gammarids in general, or specifically sympatric gammarids. We assessed the responses to chemical cues from a non-host predator (the three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus) in infected and non-infected gammarids; two native (Gammarus pulex and Gammarus fossarum), and one invasive (Echinogammarus berilloni) species, all sampled in the Paderborn Plateau (Germany). The level of predator avoidance was assessed by subjecting gammarids to choice experiments with the presence or absence of predator chemical cues. We did not detect any behavioural differences between uninfected and infected G. pulex and E. berilloni, but an elevated degree of predator avoidance in infected G. fossarum. Avoiding non-host predators may ultimately increase the probability of P. minutus' of predation by the definitive host. Our results suggested that P. minutus' ability to alter the host's behaviour may have evolved to specifically target sympatric gammarid host species. Uninfected gammarids did not appear to avoid the non-host predator chemical cues. Overall the results also opened the possibility that parasites may play a critical role in the success or failure of invasive species.

scholarly journals Identifying a key host in an acanthocephalan-amphipod system

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 142 (13) ◽  
pp. 1588-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEXANDRE BAUER ◽  
THIERRY RIGAUD
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
Parasite Transmission ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasite Life Cycle ◽  
Gammarus Fossarum ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
Gammarus Roeseli ◽  
Trophically Transmitted Parasites ◽  
Behavioural Manipulation

SUMMARYTrophically transmitted parasites may use multiple intermediate hosts, some of which may be ‘key-hosts’, i.e. contributing significantly more to the completion of the parasite life cycle, while others may be ‘sink hosts’ with a poor contribution to parasite transmission. Gammarus fossarum and Gammarus roeseli are sympatric crustaceans used as intermediate hosts by the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis. Gammarus roeseli suffers higher field prevalence and is less sensitive to parasite behavioural manipulation and to predation by definitive hosts. However, no data are available on between-host differences in susceptibility to P. laevis infection, making it difficult to untangle the relative contributions of these hosts to parasite transmission. Based on results from estimates of prevalence in gammarids exposed or protected from predation and laboratory infections, G. fossarum specimens were found to be more susceptible to P. laevis infection. As it is more susceptible to both parasite infection and manipulation, G. fossarum is therefore a key host for P. laevis transmission.

An acanthocephalan parasite boosts the escape performance of its intermediate host facing non-host predators

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (8) ◽  
pp. 977-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. MEDOC ◽  
J.-N. BEISEL
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Escape Performance ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Host Condition ◽  
Gammarus Roeseli ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Acanthocephalan Parasite

SUMMARYAmong the potential effects of parasitism on host condition, the ‘increased host abilities’ hypothesis is a counterintuitive pattern which might be predicted in complex-life-cycle parasites. In the case of trophic transmission, a parasite increasing its intermediate host's performance facing non-host predators improves its probability of transmission to an adequate, definitive host. In the present study, we investigated the cost of infection with the acanthocephalanPolymorphus minutuson the locomotor/escape performance of its intermediate host, the crustaceanGammarus roeseli. This parasite alters the behaviour of its intermediate host making it more vulnerable to predation by avian definitive hosts. We assessed the swimming speeds of gammarids using a stressful treatment and their escape abilities under predation pressure. Despite the encystment ofP. minutusin the abdomen of its intermediate host, infected amphipods had significantly higher swimming speeds than uninfected ones (increases of up to 35%). Furthermore, when interacting with the non-host crustacean predatorDikerogammarus villosus, the highest escape speeds and greatest distances covered by invertebrates were observed for parasitized animals. The altered behaviour observed among the manipulated invertebrates supported the ‘increased host abilities’ hypothesis, which has until now remained untested experimentally. The tactic of increasing the ability of infected intermediate hosts to evade potential predation attempts by non-host species is discussed.

scholarly journals Altered host behaviour and brain serotonergic activity caused by acanthocephalans: evidence for specificity

2006 ◽  
Vol 273 (1605) ◽  
pp. 3039-3045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Tain ◽  
Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ◽  
Frank Cézilly
Keyword(s):  
Final Host ◽  
Gammarus Pulex ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
Serotonergic Activity ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
By Products

Manipulative parasites can alter the phenotype of intermediate hosts in various ways. However, it is unclear whether such changes are just by-products of infection or adaptive and enhance transmission to the final host. Here, we show that the alteration of serotonergic activity is functionally linked to the alteration of specific behaviour in the amphipod Gammarus pulex infected with acanthocephalan parasites. Pomphorhynchus laevis and, to a lesser extent, Pomphorhynchus tereticollis altered phototactism, but not geotactism, in G. pulex , whereas the reverse was true for Polymorphus minutus . Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) injected to uninfected G. pulex mimicked the altered phototactism, but had no effect on geotactism. Photophilic G. pulex infected with P. laevis or P. tereticollis showed a 40% increase in brain 5-HT immunoreactivity compared to photophobic, uninfected individuals. In contrast, brain 5-HT immunoreactivity did not differ between P. minutus -infected and uninfected G. pulex . Finally, brain 5-HT immunoreactivity differed significantly among P. tereticollis -infected individuals in accordance with their degree of manipulation. Our results demonstrate that altered 5-HT activity is not the mere consequence of infection by acanthocephalans but is specifically linked to the disruption of host photophobic behaviour, whereas the alteration of other behaviours such as geotactism may rely on distinct physiological routes.

Host-switching among crabs: species introduction results in a new target host for native parasites

2020 ◽  
Vol 636 ◽  
pp. 91-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMH Blakeslee ◽  
RB Barnard ◽  
K Matheson ◽  
CH McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Host Switching ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Community Interactions ◽  
Symbiotic Relationships ◽  
Host Invasion

Invasive species can introduce parasites to, and/or acquire new parasites from, novel regions, thereby greatly influencing community interactions, including symbiotic relationships involving parasites. Host-switching of native and non-native parasites could enhance or dilute parasite transmission and spread among hosts. We investigated the effect of host invasion on trematode parasitism in 2 Newfoundland (Canada) bays: one invaded by European green crabs Carcinus maenas and the other not yet invaded. To determine the influence of C. maenas on host-parasite relationships, we assessed trematode prevalence in 3 native hosts: 2 Littorina spp. snails and Atlantic rock crabs Cancer irroratus (first- and second-intermediate hosts for microphallid trematodes, respectively). We found no difference in trematode prevalence between the bays among the 4 host species. However, cyst abundance was significantly higher in C. maenas versus C. irroratus in the bay where the crab distributions overlap, while it was lower in C. irroratus in the invaded versus uninvaded bay, suggesting a dilution of infection in the native host. Sequencing data of microphallid trematodes detected 4 genetically divergent lineages: a cosmopolitan lineage found in all host species; 2 lineages dominant in C. irroratus, suggesting a native origin for the trematodes that now use C. maenas as an additional host; and 1 lineage represented just in C. maenas in Europe. This is the first study to demonstrate the magnitude of trematode infection in crab hosts in Newfoundland, including the commercially valuable native C. irroratus. Our results demonstrate the influence that species introductions can have on parasite life cycles in native systems under recent host invasion.

scholarly journals Leeches as the intermediate host for strigeid trematodes: genetic diversity and taxonomy of the genera Australapatemon Sudarikov, 1959 and Cotylurus Szidat, 1928

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Pyrka ◽  
Gerard Kanarek ◽  
Grzegorz Zaleśny ◽  
Joanna Hildebrand
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Its2 Region ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Wide Range

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.

scholarly journals Do parasites adopt different strategies in different intermediate hosts? Host size, not host species, influences Coitocaecum parvum (Trematoda) life history strategy, size and egg production

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RUIZ DANIELS ◽  
S. BELTRAN ◽  
R. POULIN ◽  
C. LAGRUE
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Host Size ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Resource Limitations ◽  
Coitocaecum Parvum

SUMMARYHost exploitation induces host defence responses and competition between parasites, resulting in individual parasites facing highly variable environments. Alternative life strategies may thus be expressed in context-dependent ways, depending on which host species is used and intra-host competition between parasites. Coitocaecum parvum (Trematode) can use facultative progenesis in amphipod intermediate hosts, Paracalliope fluviatilis, to abbreviate its life cycle in response to such environmental factors. Coitocaecum parvum also uses another amphipod host, Paracorophium excavatum, a species widely different in size and ecology from P. fluviatilis. In this study, parasite infection levels and strategies in the two amphipod species were compared to determine whether the adoption of progenesis by C. parvum varied between these two hosts. Potential differences in size and/or egg production between C. parvum individuals according to amphipod host species were also investigated. Results show that C. parvum life strategy was not influenced by host species. In contrast, host size significantly affected C. parvum strategy, size and egg production. Since intra-host interactions between co-infecting parasites also influenced C. parvum strategy, size and fecundity, it is highly likely that within-host resource limitations affect C. parvum life strategy and overall fitness regardless of host species.

scholarly journals Molecular data reshape our understanding of the life cycles of three digeneans (Monorchiidae and Gymnophallidae) infecting the bivalve, Donax variabilis: it’s just a facultative host!

Parasite ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Kristina M. Hill-Spanik ◽  
Claudia Sams ◽  
Vincent A. Connors ◽  
Tessa Bricker ◽  
Isaure de Buron
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
The United States ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Complete Life Cycle ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Donax Variabilis

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.

Parthenogenesis and asexual multiplication among parasitic platyhelminths

Parasitology ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 121-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Whitfield ◽  
N. A. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
The Family ◽  
Asexual Multiplication ◽  
Modes Of Existence ◽  
First Intermediate Host

SUMMARYAmong flatworms with parasitic and commensal modes of existence, parthenogenesis and asexual multiplication appear to be largely confined to the Digenea and Cestoda, the only parasitic platyhelminths that routinely utilize indirect life-cycles. Parthenogenesis is apparently restricted to a minority of adult digeneans and cestodes inhabiting their final hosts, and a survey is made of the particular modes of parthenogenesis (i.e. apomictic, automictic and generative) which are employed by such adults. Asexual (amictic) multiplication, in the form of fissioning, is demonstrated by young adults of the cyclophyllidean cestode, Mesoces-toides corti, but is otherwise not exhibited by adult cestodes or digeneans, other than in the perplexing phenomenon of proglottid formation in polyzoic tapeworms. Secondary multiplication is of ubiquitous occurrence in digenean life-cycles in the form of the proliferation which takes place within sporocysts and rediae (germinal sacs) located in the first intermediate host. The controversy concerning the nature of this multiplication is reconsidered in the context of recent findings which have centred on cellular aspects. On the basis of present evidence germinal sac multiplication should be regarded as an asexual rather than a parthen-ogenetic process. The cestode asexual multiplication which occurs in intermediate hosts is a function of the metacestode stage of development. Metacestode proliferation is only known from about 20 species and 6 families of polyzoic cestodes with approximately half the described instances occurring in the family Taeniidae. The organization of these proliferative metacestodes, findings concerning their totipotent stem cells and the ontogeny of buds and new scolices are all reviewed. Finally, the capacity for population expansion of multiplicative larval digeneans and metacestodes are compared, while the ecological roles and the genetical consequences of both parthenogenesis and amictic multiplication in the two taxa are also examined.

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