Endure your parasites: Sleepy Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) movement is not affected by their ectoparasites

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
pp. 1309-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick L. Taggart ◽  
Stephan T. Leu ◽  
Orr Spiegel ◽  
Stephanie S. Godfrey ◽  
Andrew Sih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Tiliqua Rugosa ◽  
Tick Infection ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Activity Season ◽  
Tick Load ◽  
Host Movement

Movement is often used to indicate host vigour, as it has various ecological and evolutionary implications, and has been shown to be affected by parasites. We investigate the relationship between tick load and movement in the Australian Sleepy Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825)) using high resolution GPS tracking. This allowed us to track individuals across the entire activity season. We hypothesized that tick load negatively affects host movement (mean distance moved per day). We used a multivariate statistical model informed by the ecology and biology of the host and parasite, their host–parasite relationship, and known host movement patterns. This allowed us to quantify the effects of ticks on lizard movement above and beyond effects of other factors such as time in the activity season, lizard body condition, and stress. We did not find any support for our hypothesis. Instead, our results provide evidence that lizard movement is strongly driven by internal state (sex and body condition independent of tick load) and by external factors (environmental conditions). We suggest that the Sleepy Lizard has largely adapted to natural levels of tick infection in this system. Our results conform to host–parasite arms race theory, which predicts varying impacts of parasites on hosts in natural systems.

scholarly journals Genetic variation in dispersal plasticity in an aquatic host-parasite model system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Zilio ◽  
Louise Solveig Noergaard ◽  
Giovanni Petrucci ◽  
Nathalie Zeballos ◽  
Claire Gougat-Barbera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Dependent Plasticity ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
State Dependent ◽  
Context Dependent ◽  
Host Parasite

Dispersal plays a main role in determining spatial dynamics, and both theory and empirical evidence indicate that evolutionary optima exist for constitutive or plastic dispersal behaviour. Plasticity in dispersal can be influenced by factors both internal (state-dependent) or external (context-dependent) to individuals. Parasitism is interesting in this context, as it can influence both types of host dispersal plasticity: individuals can disperse in response to internal infection status but might also respond to the presence of infected individuals around them. We still know little about the driving evolutionary forces of host dispersal plasticity, but a first requirement is the presence of a genetic basis on which natural selection can act. In this study, we used microcosm dispersal mazes to investigate plastic dispersal of 20 strains of the freshwater protist Paramecium caudatum in response to the bacterial parasite Holospora undulata. We additionally quantified the genetic component of the plastic responses, i.e. the heritability of state- and context-depended dispersal. We found that infection by the parasite can either increase or decrease dispersal of individual strains relative to the uninfected (state-dependent plasticity), and this to be heritable. We also found strain-specific change of dispersal of uninfected Paramecium when exposed to variable infection prevalence (context-dependent plasticity) with very low level of heritability. To our knowledge, this is the first explicit empirical demonstration and quantification of genetic variation of plastic dispersal in a host-parasite system, which could have important implications for meta-population and epidemiological dynamics. We discuss some of the underlying mechanisms of this variation and link our results to the existing theoretical models.

scholarly journals Mechanistic movement models reveal ecological drivers of tick-borne pathogen spread

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (181) ◽  
pp. 20210134
Author(s):  
Olivia Tardy ◽  
Catherine Bouchard ◽  
Eric Chamberland ◽  
André Fortin ◽  
Patricia Lamirande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Tick Population ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Infected Tick ◽  
Tick Density ◽  
Heterogeneous Landscapes ◽  
Tick Infection ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Host Movement

Identifying ecological drivers of tick-borne pathogen spread has great value for tick-borne disease management. However, theoretical investigations into the consequences of host movement behaviour on pathogen spread dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes remain limited because spatially explicit epidemiological models that incorporate more realistic mechanisms governing host movement are rare. We built a mechanistic movement model to investigate how the interplay between multiple ecological drivers affects the risk of tick-borne pathogen spread across heterogeneous landscapes. We used the model to generate simulations of tick dispersal by migratory birds and terrestrial hosts across theoretical landscapes varying in resource aggregation, and we performed a sensitivity analysis to explore the impacts of different parameters on the infected tick spread rate, tick infection prevalence and infected tick density. Our findings highlight the importance of host movement and tick population dynamics in explaining the infected tick spread rate into new regions. Tick infection prevalence and infected tick density were driven by predictors related to the infection process and tick population dynamics, respectively. Our results suggest that control strategies aiming to reduce tick burden on tick reproduction hosts and encounter rate between immature ticks and pathogen amplification hosts will be most effective at reducing tick-borne disease risk.

scholarly journals Parasite-induced shifts in host movement may explain the transient coexistence of high- and low-pathogenic disease strains

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdou Moutalab Fofana ◽  
Amy Hurford
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Individual Host ◽  
High Virulence ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Viruses ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Movement

AbstractMany parasites induce decreased host movement, known as lethargy, which can impact disease spread and the evolution of virulence. Mathematical models have investigated virulence evolution when parasites cause host death, but disease-induced decreased host movement has received relatively less attention. Here, we consider a model where, due to the within-host parasite replication rate, an infected host can become lethargic and shift from a moving to a resting state, where it can die. We find that when the lethargy and disease-induced mortality costs to the parasites are not high, then evolutionary bistability can arise, and either moderate or high virulence can evolve depending on the initial virulence and the magnitude of mutation. These results suggest, firstly, the transient coexistence of strains with different virulence, which may explain the coexistence of low- and high-pathogenic strains of avian influenza and human immunodeficiency viruses, and secondly, that medical interventions to treat the symptoms of lethargy or prevent disease-induced host deaths can result in a large jump in virulence and the rapid evolution of high virulence. In complement to existing results that show bistability when hosts are heterogeneous at the population-level, we show that evolutionary bistability may arise due to transmission heterogeneity at the individual host-level.

scholarly journals Host-parasite associations in a population of the nectarivorous bat Anoura geoffroyi (Phyllostomidae) in a cave in a Brazilian ferruginous geosystem

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 63-77
Author(s):  
Luísa Lauren Lima Vidal ◽  
Leopoldo Ferreira Oliveira Bernardi ◽  
Sonia Aparecida Talamoni
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Neotropical Bats ◽  
History Of ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Anoura Geoffroyi ◽  
Host Parasite

Parasitic relationships between Neotropical bats and their ectoparasites are not well known, even though parasitism is one of the factors that can affect the fitness of a host population. This study characterized parasite-host relationships in relation to sex, age, body size and reproductive status in a population of Anoura geoffroyi using the indices of Prevalence, Mean Intensity and Mean Abundance. Total prevalence for 93 sampled bats was 94.6%. Two species of streblid flies that are considered primary parasites of A. geoffroyi, Exastinion clovisi (n = 203) and Anastrebla modestini (n = 152), were the most abundant ectoparasites, followed by Trichobius sp. (n = 7). Two mite species, Periglischrus vargasi (Spinturnicidae) (n = 98) and Spelaeorhynchus praecursor (Spelaeorhynchidae) (n = 11), were also found. We recorded higher mean abundance and intensity of parasitism in pregnant females compared to reproductive males and reproductively inactive females, for different specific associations of ectoparasites. Host age and body condition had no effect on the parasitological indices. Even with high rates of parasitism, parasitic load did not influence host body condition, but infestation rates by mites were higher in reproductive males and higher by flies in reproductive females, showing that ectoparasites can have variable influences between the different stages of the life history of these host bats. Thus, the reproductive activity of the hosts could be an adverse factor for resistance to parasite infestations.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidiosis Modulates the Gut Microbiome and Metabolism in a Murine Infection Model

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 380
Author(s):  
Avinash V. Karpe ◽  
Melanie L. Hutton ◽  
Steven J. Mileto ◽  
Meagan L. James ◽  
Chris Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Energy Pathways

Cryptosporidiosis is a major human health concern globally. Despite well-established methods, misdiagnosis remains common. Our understanding of the cryptosporidiosis biochemical mechanism remains limited, compounding the difficulty of clinical diagnosis. Here, we used a systems biology approach to investigate the underlying biochemical interactions in C57BL/6J mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Faecal samples were collected daily following infection. Blood, liver tissues and luminal contents were collected 10 days post infection. High-resolution liquid chromatography and low-resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry were used to analyse the proteomes and metabolomes of these samples. Faeces and luminal contents were additionally subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of the acquired data illustrated altered host and microbial energy pathways during infection. Glycolysis/citrate cycle metabolites were depleted, while short-chain fatty acids and D-amino acids accumulated. An increased abundance of bacteria associated with a stressed gut environment was seen. Host proteins involved in energy pathways and Lactobacillus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were upregulated during cryptosporidiosis. Liver oxalate also increased during infection. Microbiome–parasite relationships were observed to be more influential than the host–parasite association in mediating major biochemical changes in the mouse gut during cryptosporidiosis. Defining this parasite–microbiome interaction is the first step towards building a comprehensive cryptosporidiosis model towards biomarker discovery, and rapid and accurate diagnostics.

Effects of drought on brood parasite body condition, follicle development, and parasitism: Implications for host–parasite dynamics

The Auk ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 908-918
Author(s):  
Valerie L. Buxton ◽  
Wendy M. Schelsky ◽  
Than J. Boves ◽  
Scott Summers ◽  
Patrick J. Weatherhead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Parasite Dynamics

Geographic variation in prevalence and parasitemia of Haemoproteus paruli in the cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea)

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 626-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E Gibb ◽  
Jason Jones ◽  
M Kate Girvan ◽  
Jennifer J Barg ◽  
Raleigh J Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Dendroica Cerulea ◽  
Cerulean Warbler ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Cerulean Warblers ◽  
Host Parasite

Although host–parasite interactions can affect the ecology and distribution of species, virtually nothing is known about range-wide variation in haematozoan levels in North American birds. We investigated haematozoan prevalence and parasitemia in 112 adult male cerulean warblers (Dendroica cerulea (Wilson, 1810)) in six populations throughout this species' breeding range. Thirty-six birds were infected with Haemoproteus paruli at low parasitemia (mean ± 1 SE, 6.18 ± 1.27 parasites/2000 erythrocytes). Prevalence did not differ between age classes, and there was no significant relationship between parasitism and body condition. However, prevalence and parasitemia were significantly higher in southern populations and further study is required to elucidate factors underlying regional differences in cerulean warbler haematozoan levels.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidiosis Modulates the Gut Microbiome Metabolism and Immune Response in an Infected Host

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash V. Karpe ◽  
Melanie L. Hutton ◽  
Steven J. Mileto ◽  
Meagan L. James ◽  
Chris Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Energy Pathways

Cryptosporidiosis is a major human health concern globally. Despite well-established methods, misdiagnosis remains common. Our understanding of the cryptosporidiosis biochemical mechanism remains limited, compounding the difficulty of clinical diagnosis. Here, we used a systems biology approach to investigate the underlying biochemical interactions in C57BL/6J mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Faecal samples were collected daily following infection. Blood, liver tissues and luminal contents were collected 10 days post infection (dpi). High-resolution liquid chromatography and low-resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry were used to analyse the proteomes and metabolomes of these samples. Faeces and luminal contents were additionally subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of the acquired data illustrated altered host and microbial energy pathways during infection. Glycolysis/citrate cycle metabolites were depleted, while short-chain fatty acids and D-amino acids accumulated. An increased abundance of bacteria associated with a stressed gut environment was seen. Host proteins involved in energy pathways and Lactobacillus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were upregulated during cryptosporidiosis. Liver oxalate also increased during infection. Microbiome-parasite relationships were observed to be more influential than the host-parasite association in mediating major biochemical changes in the mouse gut during cryptosporidiosis. Defining this parasite-microbiome interaction is the first step towards building a comprehensive cryptosporidiosis model towards biomarker discovery, and rapid and accurate diagnostics.

Physiological consequences of filarial parasites in the frillneck lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii, in northern Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 2302-2306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Christian ◽  
Gavin S. Bedford
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Host Parasite

Frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii) in northern Australia are frequently infected by a mosquito-borne filarial parasite, Oswaldofilaria chlamydosauri. Two sites were studied and the parasite was found to be common at one but absent at the other. At the site where the parasite was present, larger lizards had a higher prevalence of infection. The number of microfilariae in the blood of the lizards was not related to blood hematocrit or hemoglobin concentration. An index of body condition was not related to the presence or number of microfilariae in the blood. Maximum rates of oxygen consumption were measured by running the lizards on a treadmill and neither the presence nor the number of microfilariae was significantly related to aerobic capacity. We also analyzed the blood and physiological parameters with respect to snout–vent length (as an indication of age) to test for consequences of chronic infection, but we found no significant relationships. Although only a few physiological parameters have been examined, the available evidence does not indicate any detrimental effects of the filarial worms on the lizards in this host–parasite association.

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