scholarly journals Carotenoid-based colour of acanthocephalan cystacanths plays no role in host manipulation

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1654) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Kaldonski ◽  
Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ◽  
Raphaël Dodet ◽  
Guillaume Martinaud ◽  
Frank Cézilly
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Selective Predation ◽  
Trophic Transmission ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
Fish Predators ◽  
Yellow Orange ◽  
Behavioural Alteration ◽  
Orange Spot

Manipulation by parasites is a catchy concept that has been applied to a large range of phenotypic alterations brought about by parasites in their hosts. It has, for instance, been suggested that the carotenoid-based colour of acanthocephalan cystacanths is adaptive through increasing the conspicuousness of infected intermediate hosts and, hence, their vulnerability to appropriate final hosts such as fish predators. We revisited the evidence in favour of adaptive coloration of acanthocephalan parasites in relation to increased trophic transmission using the crustacean amphipod Gammarus pulex and two species of acanthocephalans, Pomphorhynchus laevis and Polymorphus minutus . Both species show carotenoid-based colorations, but rely, respectively, on freshwater fish and aquatic bird species as final hosts. In addition, the two parasites differ in the type of behavioural alteration brought to their common intermediate host. Pomphorhynchus laevis reverses negative phototaxis in G. pulex , whereas P. minutus reverses positive geotaxis. In aquaria, trout showed selective predation for P. laevis -infected gammarids, whereas P. minutus -infected ones did not differ from uninfected controls in their vulnerability to predation. We tested for an effect of parasite coloration on increased trophic transmission by painting a yellow–orange spot on the cuticle of uninfected gammarids and by masking the yellow–orange spot of infected individuals with inconspicuous brown paint. To enhance realism, match of colour between painted mimics and true parasite was carefully checked using a spectrometer. We found no evidence for a role of parasite coloration in the increased vulnerability of gammarids to predation by trout. Painted mimics did not differ from control uninfected gammarids in their vulnerability to predation by trout. In addition, covering the place through which the parasite was visible did not reduce the vulnerability of infected gammarids to predation by trout. We discuss alternative evolutionary explanations for the origin and maintenance of carotenoid-based colorations in acanthocephalan parasites.

Potential interactions between Acanthocephalus anguillae and Pomphorhynchus laevis in their natural hosts chub, Leuciscus cephalus and the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

Parasitology ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Bates ◽  
C. R. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Anguilla Anguilla ◽  
European Eel ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Natural Hosts ◽  
Potential Interactions

SUMMARYChub and eels were experimentally infected via intermediate hosts harbouring cystacanths, with Pomphorhynchus laevis alone, or Acanthocephalus anguillae alone, or simultaneously with mixtures of both species in varying proportions, and sampled at 7, 56 or 112 days post-infection. Examination of chub revealed that both species showed low establishment and growth rates, differing markedly from British field data, where chub is apparently one of the most important hosts, and preventing further meaningful experiments. Both species showed higher establishment rates in eels, but A. anguillae both grew faster and matured to a greater extent than P. laevis, reflecting field data. No evidence of any interactions, competitive or otherwise, was found in the mixed infections in eels at low or high infection levels. The results were interpretated with regard to British field data and current theories of the role of interspecific competition in structuring fish helminth communities.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of cattle Sarcocystis spp. in North-West Italy highlights their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Rubiola ◽  
Tiziana Civera ◽  
Felice Panebianco ◽  
Davide Vercellino ◽  
Francesco Chiesa
Keyword(s):  
18S Rdna ◽  
Inflammatory Myopathy ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Slaughter Cattle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Abstract Background Cattle are intermediate hosts of six Sarcocystis species, among which Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In addition to the zoonotic potential, there is increasing interest in these protozoa because of the evidence supporting the role of Sarcocystis spp. in the occurrence of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM), a specific inflammatory myopathy which leads to carcass condemnation and considerable economic losses. Actually, all the prevalence studies carried out on cattle in Italy have been based on either morphological or 18S rDNA-based molecular techniques, most likely leading to misidentification of closely related species. Therefore, there is a strong need for new data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy and their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis. Methods To reach our aim, individual striated muscle samples from BEM condemned carcasses (N = 54) and diaphragm muscle samples from randomly sampled carcasses (N = 59) were obtained from Northwest Italy slaughterhouses. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by multiplex-PCR targeting 18S rDNA and cox1 genes. PCR products amplified using the genus-specific primer set in absence of the specific fragment for S. hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis or S. bovifelis were sequenced to achieve species identification. Results Sarcocystis DNA was detected in 67.8% of the samples from slaughter cattle and in 90.7% of the samples from BEM condemned carcasses. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in slaughter cattle (61%), followed by S. bovifelis (10.2%), S. hominis (8.5%) and S. hirsuta (1.7%). Notably, among the different Sarcocystis spp. detected, the presence of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was significantly higher in samples isolated from BEM condemned carcasses (46.3% and 40.7% respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of S. cruzi or S. hirsuta in BEM condemned carcasses (42.6% and 1.8%, respectively) and randomly sampled carcasses. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of a putative new species in two carcasses. Conclusions Our study contributes to updating the data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy, highlighting the presence of three Sarcocystis spp., S. cruzi, S. hominis and S. bovifelis, in BEM lesions and allowing us to speculate on the possible role of S. hominis and S. bovifelis as the major sarcosporidian species involved in bovine eosinophilic myositis. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Evaluating the role of contracting and expanding rainforest in initiating cycles of speciation across the Isthmus of Panama

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1742) ◽  
pp. 3520-3526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Tilston Smith ◽  
Amei Amei ◽  
John Klicka
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Isthmus Of Panama ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Impact

Climatic and geological changes across time are presumed to have shaped the rich biodiversity of tropical regions. However, the impact climatic drying and subsequent tropical rainforest contraction had on speciation has been controversial because of inconsistent palaeoecological and genetic data. Despite the strong interest in examining the role of climatic change on speciation in the Neotropics there has been few comparative studies, particularly, those that include non-rainforest taxa. We used bird species that inhabit humid or dry habitats that dispersed across the Panamanian Isthmus to characterize temporal and spatial patterns of speciation across this barrier. Here, we show that these two assemblages of birds exhibit temporally different speciation time patterns that supports multiple cycles of speciation. Evidence for these cycles is further corroborated by the finding that both assemblages consist of ‘young’ and ‘old’ species, despite dry habitat species pairs being geographically more distant than pairs of humid habitat species. The matrix of humid and dry habitats in the tropics not only allows for the maintenance of high species richness, but additionally this study suggests that these environments may have promoted speciation. We conclude that differentially expanding and contracting distributions of dry and humid habitats was probably an important contributor to speciation in the tropics.

Polychaetes as Intermediate Hosts of Helminth Parasites of Vertebrates: A Review

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1385-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Aquatic Vertebrates

The role of polychaetes as intermediate hosts of helminth parasites of aquatic vertebrates is reviewed. Some 18–20 species of trematodes and three or four each of cestodes and nematodes are known to have larval stages in these annelids. There are no records of acanthocephalan larvae from polychaetes. Trematoda use polychaetes as first (three species) or second intermediate hosts. The polychaete hosts are found among various genera of Errantia, Sedentaria, and Myzostomida. Definitive hosts are mainly fishes, with a few species of trematodes and one of cestodes developing in birds, and apparently one genus of nematodes (two species) maturing in the lungs of seals. A list of polychaetes and their larval helminth parasites is given.

scholarly journals Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) predation on pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) in shallow eutrophic lakes in Poland

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Traczuk ◽  
Andrzej Kapusta
Keyword(s):  
Length Distribution ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Great Cormorant ◽  
Phalacrocorax Carbo ◽  
Sander Lucioperca ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Great Cormorants

AbstractIncreases in the population abundance of the piscivorous great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) has led to conflicts with fisheries. Cormorants are blamed for decreased fish catches in many lakes in Poland. The aim of this paper is to describe to role of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in the diet of cormorants nesting in a colony on the island in Lake Warnołty. Since the breeding colony is located in the vicinity of Lake OEniardwy, the largest lake in Poland, the cormorants use the resources in this lake. In 2009-2016, 18,432 regurgitated fish were collected, of which 593 were pikeperch. The share of pikeperch among fish collected in 2009-2012 did not exceed 2%, but from 2013 this increased substantially to maximum of 38.2% in 2015. The smallest pikeperch had a standard length of 8.4 cm, and the largest 42.5 cm. Pikeperch mean length differed by year, and the length distribution was close to normal. The sizes of the regurgitated pikeperch indicate that cormorants prey almost exclusively on juvenile specimens. The results of the present study indicate that cormorant predation has a significant impact on pikeperch populations in lakes in the vicinity of the colony, and the great cormorants are possibly a significant factor in the effectiveness of pikeperch management. When planning for the management of fish populations in lakes subjected to cormorant predation pressure, it should be borne in mind that predation by this piscivorous bird species impacts the abundance and size-age structure of fish populations.

Role of three bird species in the life cycle of two Sarcocystis species (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondřej Máca ◽  
David González
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Great Cormorant ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
The Common ◽  
Milvus Milvus

Abstract BackgroundBirds are one of the groups involved in the development of Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, serving either as intermediate or definitive hosts. The white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758), red kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both Accipitriformes) and common starlings Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Passeriformes) were examined to elucidate their participation in the development of Sarcocystis, as well as to determine the specific identity of the parasites based on morphological and especially molecular analyses.MethodsIn 2020–2021, one white-tailed eagle, one red kite and five common starlings were parasitologically examined for the presence of Sarcocystis using flotation centrifugation coprological method and by wet mounts of intestinal mucosa scrapings and/or muscle samples. Positive samples were processed by light microscopy, histologically and followed molecularly at four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 and cox1).ResultsThe white-tailed eagle harboured oocysts/sporocysts of S. arctica Gjerde et Schulze, 2014 in the intestinal mucosa, while the intestinal mucosa of the red kite and breasts and leg muscles of one common starling were positive to S. halieti Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2018. Sequences from eagle shared 99.6 − 100% identity with each other and S. arctica in the red fox (V. vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Sequences from the common starling and red kite shared 100% identity with each other and with S. halieti in the great cormorant (P. carbo [Linnaeus, 1758]) from Lithuania and H. albicilla from Norway.ConclusionsThe white-tailed sea eagle (H. albicilla) acts as natural definitive host of S. arctica, whereas the common starling (St. vulgaris) and red kite (M. milvus) represent intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively, for S. halieti.

Extraintestinal Acanthocephalan Oncicola venezuelensis (Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Small Indian Mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) and African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-798
Author(s):  
Anne A. M. J. Becker ◽  
Sreekumari Rajeev ◽  
Mark A. Freeman ◽  
Amy Beierschmitt ◽  
Victoria Savinon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Chlorocebus Aethiops ◽  
Herpestes Auropunctatus ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
Green Monkeys ◽  
Small Indian Mongoose

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.

Parasitic fauna of a yellow-legged gull colony in the island of Escombreras (South-eastern Mediterranean) in close proximity to a landfill site: potential effects on cohabiting species

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Hervías Parejo ◽  
Carlos Martínez-Carrasco ◽  
Julia I. Diaz ◽  
Lidia Chitimia ◽  
Juana Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Helminth Community ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasitic Fauna ◽  
Waste Landfill ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Larus Michahellis ◽  
Fishery Discards

AbstractWe identified the ectoparasites and helminth fauna of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis michahellis), breeding near to a solid waste landfill, and compared infection levels with those of other yellow-legged gull colonies. Moreover, we analysed correlations between parasites and sex and body condition of yellow-legged gulls, co-infections and the helminth community structure in order to propose the role of this species as reservoir of certain parasites. We also discuss the potential transmission of parasites between the yellow-legged gull and the endangered Audouin’s gull, because interactions between these two species, such as kleptoparasitism and predation, occur frequently around colonies. The following species were recorded: Ornithodorus capensis (Arthropoda); Cosmocephalus obvelatus, Paracuaria adunca, Eucoleus contortus, Tetrameres skrjabini and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda); Tetrabothrius cylindraceus (Cestoda); Acanthotrema armata, Cardiocephaloides longicollis and Ornithobilharzia intermedia (Digenea). Tetrabothrius cylindraceus, A. armata and O. capensis are new parasite records for this host. The dependence of yellow-legged-gulls on fishery discards is supported by the dominance of parasites transmitted through marine intermediate hosts with interest to fisheries in the study area. However, the shift in diet from natural resources to food derived from human activities seems not to affect the parasitic fauna of yellow-legged gull. Besides of direct physical contact between individuals in nesting and resting habitats, the high availability of fishery discards could increase the risk of Audouin’s gulls to be infected by common parasites of yellow-legged gull.

Diurnal cycle of Isospora spp. oocyst shedding in Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 764-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Misof
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Diurnal Cycle ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Turdus Merula ◽  
Coccidian Oocyst ◽  
Diurnal Fluctuations ◽  
Evolutionary Aspects ◽  
Practical Implications

Diurnal fluctuations in the appearance of parasites have been recognized for more than 60 years but have been largely ignored in studies examining the role of parasites in connection with evolutionary aspects of behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics. The disregard of diurnal fluctuations, however, can influence the reliability and interpretation of data. I examined shedding of Isospora spp. oocysts in faeces of naturally infected, free-living Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula L., 1758). Adult birds and nestlings shed coccidian oocysts (Isospora spp.) predominantly in the afternoon. The results are in agreement with earlier studies on coccidian oocyst shedding in other bird species. They are discussed with regard to these studies and to practical implications for future investigators in this field.

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