Ecological Specificity of Parasites of Some Embiotocid Fishes

1967 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 2161-2168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisao P. Arai
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
The Family ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Parasite Evolution ◽  
Ecological Specificity ◽  
Host Parasite

An investigation of the relative roles of phylogenetic and ecological factors in determining host specificity at the intrafamilial level in fishes of the family Embiotocidae has been made. The results do not show indications that specificity is related to host phylogeny, i.e. parallel host–parasite evolution is not apparent. However, data are presented which strongly support the contention that specificity of parasites in Cymatogaster aggregata is determined by factors which are of an ecological nature.

scholarly journals Analysis of large new South African dataset using two host-specificity indices shows generalism in both adult and larval ticks of mammals

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCELA P. A. ESPINAZE ◽  
ELÉONORE HELLARD ◽  
IVAN G. HORAK ◽  
GRAEME S. CUMMING
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
South African ◽  
New South ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Infestation Intensity ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Pathogen Control ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYTicks and tick-borne pathogens can have considerable impacts on the health of livestock, wildlife and people. Knowledge of tick–host preferences is necessary for both tick and pathogen control. Ticks were historically considered as specialist parasites, but the range of sampled host species has been limited, infestation intensity has not been included in prior analyses, and phylogenetic distances between hosts have not been previously considered. We used a large dataset of 35 604 individual collections and two host-specificity indices to assess the specificity of 61 South African tick species, as well as distinctions between adult and juvenile ticks, for 95 mammalian hosts. When accounting for host phylogeny, most adult and juvenile ticks behaved as generalists, with juveniles being significantly more generalist than adults. When we included the intensity of tick infestation, ticks exhibited a wider diversity of specificity in all life stages. Our results show that ticks of mammals in South Africa tend to behave largely as generalists and that adult ticks are more host-specific. More generally, our analysis shows that the incorporation of life-stage differences, infestation intensity and phylogenetic distances between hosts, as well as the use of more than one specificity index, can all contribute to a deeper understanding of host–parasite interactions.

scholarly journals The ghost of hosts past: impacts of host extinction on parasite specificity

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1837) ◽  
pp. 20200351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell J. Farrell ◽  
Andrew W. Park ◽  
Clayton E. Cressler ◽  
Tad Dallas ◽  
Shan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Virulence Evolution ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Parasite Biodiversity ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Host Extinction

A growing body of research is focused on the extinction of parasite species in response to host endangerment and declines. Beyond the loss of parasite species richness, host extinction can impact apparent parasite host specificity, as measured by host richness or the phylogenetic distances among hosts. Such impacts on the distribution of parasites across the host phylogeny can have knock-on effects that may reshape the adaptation of both hosts and parasites, ultimately shifting the evolutionary landscape underlying the potential for emergence and the evolution of virulence across hosts. Here, we examine how the reshaping of host phylogenies through extinction may impact the host specificity of parasites, and offer examples from historical extinctions, present-day endangerment, and future projections of biodiversity loss. We suggest that an improved understanding of the impact of host extinction on contemporary host–parasite interactions may shed light on core aspects of disease ecology, including comparative studies of host specificity, virulence evolution in multi-host parasite systems, and future trajectories for host and parasite biodiversity. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Infectious disease macroecology: parasite diversity and dynamics across the globe’.

scholarly journals The ghost of hosts past: impacts of host extinction on parasite specificity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell Jenner Farrell ◽  
Andrew Park ◽  
Clay Cressler ◽  
Tad Dallas ◽  
Shan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Virulence Evolution ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Parasite Biodiversity ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Host Extinction

A growing body of research is focused on the extinction of parasite species in response to host endangerment and declines. Beyond the loss of parasite species richness, host extinction can impact apparent parasite host specificity, as measured by host richness or the phylogenetic distances among hosts. Such impacts on the distribution of parasites across the host phylogeny can have knock-on effects that may reshape the adaptation of both hosts and parasites, ultimately shifting the evolutionary landscape underlying the potential for emergence and the evolution of virulence across hosts. Here we examine how the reshaping of host phylogenies through extinction may impact the host specificity of parasites, and offer examples from historical extinctions, present-day endangerment, and future projections of biodiversity loss. We suggest that an improved understanding of the impact of host extinction on contemporary host-parasite interactions may shed light on core aspects of disease ecology, including comparative studies of host specificity, virulence evolution in multi-host parasite systems, and future trajectories for host and parasite biodiversity.

scholarly journals On the evolution of host specificity: a case study of helminths

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaina C. Pfenning-Butterworth ◽  
Sebastian Botero-Cañola ◽  
Clayton E. Cressler
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Evolutionary Constraint ◽  
Evolutionary Potential ◽  
Strong Signal ◽  
Specific Host ◽  
Alternative Perspective ◽  
Host Parasite

ABSTRACTThe significant variation in host specificity exhibited by parasites has been separately linked to evolutionary history and ecological factors in specific host-parasite associations. Yet, whether there are any general patterns in the factors that shape host specificity across parasites more broadly is unknown. Here we constructed a molecular phylogeny for 249 helminth species infecting free-range mammals and find that the influence of ecological factors and evolutionary history varies across different measures of host specificity. Whereas the phylogenetic range of hosts a parasite can infect shows a strong signal of evolutionary constraint, the number of hosts a parasite infects does not. Our results shed new light on the evolution of host specificity in parasites, suggesting that phylogenetic breadth may capture the evolutionary potential of a parasite to jump between hosts, whereas the number of hosts may reflect ecological opportunity. Finally, we show parasite phylogenies can also provide an alternative perspective on zoonosis by identifying which hosts are infected by a broad phylogenetic range of parasites.

scholarly journals Structural and Population Polymorphism of RT-Like Sequences in Avian SchistosomesTrichobilharzia szidati(Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Semyenova ◽  
G. G. Chrisanfova ◽  
A. S. Guliaev ◽  
A. P. Yesakova ◽  
A. P. Ryskov
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Lymnaea Stagnalis ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Snail Host ◽  
New Members ◽  
East Europe ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
History Of ◽  
Avian Schistosomes ◽  
Parasite Evolution

Recently we developed the genus-specific markers of the avian schistosomes of the genusTrichobilharzia, the causative agents of human cercarial dermatitis. The 7 novel genome sequences ofT. franki, T. regenti, andT. szidatirevealed similarity with genome repeat region of African schistosomeSchistosoma mansoni. In the present work we analyzed the 37 newT. szidatisequences to study intragenome variability and host specificity for the parasite from three localities of East Europe. DNAs were isolated from cercariae or single sporocysts obtained from 6 lymnaeid snailsLymnaea stagnalisandL. palustrisfrom Belarus and Russia. All sequences formed three diverged groups, one of which consists of the sequences with multiple deletions; other groups involved two paralogous copies with stop codons and frameshift mutations. Strong association between geographical distribution and snail host specificity cannot be established. All studied sequences have homology with the reverse transcriptase domain (RT) of Penelope-like elements (PLE) ofS. mansoniandS. japonicumand new members of RT family were identified. We proposed that three diverged groups RT sequences ofT. szidatiare results of duplication or transposition of PLE during parasite evolution. Implications of the retroelement dynamics in the life history of avian schistosomes are discussed.

Checklist of the cestode parasites of wild birds of Argentina

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.B. Drago ◽  
M. Dueñas Díaz ◽  
R. Draghi ◽  
V. Núñez
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Generic Level ◽  
The Family ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Annotated Checklist

Abstract An annotated checklist of the cestode parasites of Argentinean wild birds is presented, as the result of a compilation of parasitological papers published between 1900 and April 2021. This review provides data on hosts, geographical distribution, sites of infection, location of material deposited in helminthological collections, references and taxonomic comments. A host/parasite list is also provided. During this period, 38 papers were published that gather information about 34 cestode nominal species and 11 taxa identified at generic level, belonging to three orders, ten families and 35 genera. The highest number of cestode taxa was recorded in the family Hymenolepididae, with 12 nominal species and two taxa identified at generic level, followed by Dilepididae, with eight nominal species and three taxa identified at generic level. Of the 1042 species of birds reported in Argentina, only 29 (2.8%) were reported as hosts of adult cestodes. The families of birds with the highest number of reported taxa were Laridae and Anatidae, with 20 and 14 taxa, respectively.

A checklist of bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) of Russia, with new host and geographical records

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4974 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-564
Author(s):  
M.V. ORLOVA ◽  
P.B. KLIMOV ◽  
O.L. ORLOV ◽  
D.G. SMIRNOV ◽  
A.V. ZHIGALIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Russian Regions ◽  
New Host ◽  
Extensive Survey ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Host Parasite

The family Macronyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) comprises mostly obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and some other animals, such as small mammals, reptiles and birds. Here, we document and curate previously known data, and, based on our extensive survey, provide this article of bat-associated macronyssid mites of the Russian Federation. We record a total of 24 mite species belonging to 4 genera (Ichoronyssus, Macronyssus, Steatonyssus, and Cryptonyssus). Twenty-seven new host-parasite associations are reported. In addition, were provide data on five major Russian regions, for which bat-associated mite records were lacking. 

scholarly journals Orchid Reintroduction Based on Seed Germination-Promoting Mycorrhizal Fungi Derived From Protocorms or Seedlings

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da-Ke Zhao ◽  
Marc-André Selosse ◽  
Limin Wu ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Shi-Cheng Shao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Practical Procedure ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Ecological Specificity

Orchids are among the most endangered in the plant kingdom. Lack of endosperm in their seeds renders orchids to depend on nutrients provided by orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) for seed germination and seedling formation in the wild. OMF that parasitize in germination seeds is an essential element for orchid seedling formation, which can also help orchid reintroduction. Considering the limitations of the previous orchid reintroduction technology based on seed germination-promoting OMF (sgOMF) sourced from orchid roots, an innovative approach is proposed here in which orchid seeds are directly co-sown with sgOMF carrying ecological specificity from protocorms/seedlings. Based on this principle, an integrative and practical procedure concerning related ecological factors is further raised for re-constructing long-term and self-sustained orchid populations. We believe that this new approach will benefit the reintroduction of endangered orchids in nature.

Assessing the diversity, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in reptiles from Oman, Arabia

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (13) ◽  
pp. 1730-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOÃO P. MAIA ◽  
D. JAMES HARRIS ◽  
SALVADOR CARRANZA ◽  
ELENA GOMÉZ-DÍAZ
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Parasite Diversity ◽  
Phylogenetic Clustering ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Host Ecology ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Wild Hosts

SUMMARYUnderstanding the processes that shape parasite diversification, their distribution and abundance provides valuable information on the dynamics and evolution of disease. In this study, we assessed the diversity, distribution, host-specificity and infection patterns of apicomplexan parasites in amphibians and reptiles from Oman, Arabia. Using a quantitative PCR approach we detected three apicomplexan parasites (haemogregarines, lankesterellids and sarcocystids). A total of 13 haemogregarine haplotypes were identified, which fell into four main clades in a phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic analysis of six new lankesterellid haplotypes revealed that these parasites were distinct from, but phylogenetically related to, knownLankesterellaspecies and might represent new taxa. The percentage of infected hosts (prevalence) and the number of haemogregarines in the blood (parasitaemia) varied significantly between gecko species. We also found significant differences in parasitaemia between haemogregarine parasite lineages (defined by phylogenetic clustering of haplotypes), suggesting differences in host–parasite compatibility between these lineages. ForPristurus rupestris, we found significant differences in haemogregarine prevalence between geographical areas. Our results suggest that host ecology and host relatedness may influence haemogregarine distributions and, more generally, highlight the importance of screening wild hosts from remote regions to provide new insights into parasite diversity.

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