Larval and life-cycle patterns in echinoderms

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry R McEdward ◽  
Benjamin G Miner

We review the literature on larval development of 182 asteroids, 20 crinoids, 177 echinoids, 69 holothuroids, and 67 ophiuroids. For each class, we describe the various larval types, common features of a larval body plan, developmental patterns in terms of life-cycle character states and sequences of larval stages, phylogenetic distribution of these traits, and infer evolutionary transitions that account for the documented diversity. Asteroids, echinoids, holothuroids, and ophiuroids, but not crinoids, have feeding larvae. All five classes have evolved nonfeeding larvae. Direct development has been documented in asteroids, echinoids, and ophiuroids. Facultative planktotrophy has been documented only in echinoids. It is surprising that benthic, free-living, feeding larvae have not been reported in echinoderms. From this review, we conclude that it is the ecological and functional demands on larvae which impose limits on developmental evolution and determine the associations of larval types and life-cycle character states that give rise to the developmental patterns that we observe in echinoderms. Two factors seriously limit analyses of larval and life-cycle evolution in echinoderms. First is the limited understanding of developmental diversity and second is the lack of good phylogenies.

Author(s):  
Jan A. Pechenik

I have a Hardin cartoon on my office door. It shows a series of animals thinking about the meaning of life. In sequence, we see a lobe-finned fish, a salamander, a lizard, and a monkey, all thinking, “Eat, survive, reproduce; eat, survive, reproduce.” Then comes man: “What's it all about?” he wonders. Organisms live to reproduce. The ultimate selective pressure on any organism is to survive long enough and well enough to pass genetic material to a next generation that will also be successful in reproducing. In this sense, then, every morphological, physiological, biochemical, or behavioral adaptation contributes to reproductive success, making the field of life cycle evolution a very broad one indeed. Key components include mode of sexuality, age and size at first reproduction (Roff, this volume), number of reproductive episodes in a lifetime, offspring size (Messina and Fox, this volume), fecundity, the extent to which parents protect their offspring and how that protection is achieved, source of nutrition during development, survival to maturity, the consequences of shifts in any of these components, and the underlying mechanisms responsible for such shifts. Many of these issues are dealt with in other chapters. Here I focus exclusively on animals, and on a particularly widespread sort of life cycle that includes at least two ecologically distinct free-living stages. Such “complex life cycles” (Istock 1967) are especially common among amphibians and fishes (Hall and Wake 1999), and within most invertebrate groups, including insects (Gilbert and Frieden 1981), crustaceans, bivalves, gastropods, polychaete worms, echinoderms, bryozoans, and corals and other cnidarians (Thorson 1950). In such life cycles, the juvenile or adult stage is reached by metamorphosing from a preceding, free-living larval stage. In many species, metamorphosis involves a veritable revolution in morphology, ecology, behavior, and physiology, sometimes taking place in as little as a few minutes or a few hours. In addition to the issues already mentioned, key components of such complex life cycles include the timing of metamorphosis (i.e., when it occurs), the size at which larvae metamorphose, and the consequences of metamorphosing at particular times or at particular sizes. The potential advantages of including larval stages in the life history have been much discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kuzmin ◽  
V.V. Tkach ◽  
F.T.V. Melo

Abstract Serpentirhabdias mussuranae n. sp. is described from the lungs of the mussurana, Clelia clelia (Daudin, 1803), from vicinities of Lábrea, Amazonas State, Brazil. The species is characterized by the triangular oral opening, the presence of teeth (onchia) in the oesophastome, the excretory glands longer than the oesophagus and the tail abruptly narrowing in its anterior half and gradually tapering in posterior half. Among the Neotropical representatives of the genus, three species are known to possess the onchia in the oesophastome: S. atroxi, S. moi and S. viperidicus. Serpentirhabdias mussuranae n. sp. differs from S. atroxi and S. viperidicus by its triangular shape of the oral opening and the oesophastome in apical view, vs. round in the latter two congeners. Additionally, S. viperidicus has a larger oesophastome, 13–22 micrometers wide and 13–23 micrometers deep. The new species has relatively longer excretory glands than S. moi. The new species is morphologically and genetically close to S. atroxi, S. moi and S. viperidicus, all parasitic in Brazilian snakes, based on the presence of onchia and the comparison of nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial cox1 gene (differences varied between 3.8% and 7.1%). Data on the life cycle of S. mussuranae n. sp. is provided, and the life cycle is typical of the genus Serpentirhabdias, with the combination of direct development and heterogony. Free-living larval stages and the adults of amphimictic free-living generation are described. The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) + partial 28S region and partial mitochondrial cox1 gene are provided.


Parasitology ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. James

1. Parvatrema homoeotecnum sp.nov. from the oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus occidentalis Neumann at Aberystwyth is described and compared with other species of the genus.2. The life cycle of this species is unique. The larval stages occur in the gastropod, Littorina saxatilis (Olivi) subsp. tenebrosa (Montagu) and include germinal sacs which have a structure and development similar to an adult digenean. There are no free-living stages and only one intermediate host.3. The significance of this unique life cycle is discussed.4. The family Gymnophallidae Morozov, 1955, is reviewed. Emended definitions are given for the family, subfamilies and genera. Keys, diagnostic features and brief notes of the species are included.I am very grateful to Dr Gwendolen Rees, who suggested the investigation which led to the discovery of this species, for her advice and indispensable assistance throughout the work and the preparation of this paper. I am also grateful to the late Professor T. A. Stephenson for his interest and for the provision of working facilities; to Mr W. A. Ballantine, Mr A. H. Clarke, Jr., Mr C. Curtis, Miss G. P. F. Evans, Dr V. Fretter, Professor L. A. Harvey, Mr D. H. Jones and Dr J. Lewis who sent me specimens of Littorina saxatilis; to Professor R. M. Cable and Emerit. Professor G. R. La Rue for helpful suggestions; to Mr J. R. Hirst and Mr D. Hemingway Jones for photographic and technical assistance and to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for a grant which made the work possible.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludwik Gąsiorowski ◽  
Andreas Hejnol

Abstract Background: Phoronida is a small group of marine worm-like suspension feeders, which together with brachiopods and bryozoans form the clade Lophophorata. Although their development is well studied on the morphological level, data regarding gene expression during this process are scarce and restricted to the analysis of relatively few transcription factors. Here we present a description of the expression patterns of Hox genes during the embryonic and larval development of the phoronid Phoronopsis harmeri. Results: We identified sequences of eight Hox genes in the transcriptome of Ph. harmeri and determined their expression pattern during embryonic and larval development using whole mount in situ hybridization. We found that none of the Hox genes is expressed during embryonic development. Instead their expression is initiated in the later developmental stages, when the larval body is already formed. In the investigated initial larval stages the Hox genes are expressed in the non-collinear manner in the posterior body of the larvae: in the telotroch and the structures that represent rudiments of the adult worm. Additionally, we found that certain head-specific transcription factors are expressed in the oral hood, apical organ, preoral coelom, anterior digestive system and developing larval tentacles, anterior to the Hox-expressing territories. Conclusions: The lack of Hox gene expression during early development of Ph. harmeri indicates that the larval body develops without positional information from the Hox patterning system. Such phenomenon might be a consequence of the evolutionary intercalation of the larval form into an ancestral life cycle of phoronids. The observed Hox gene expression can also be a consequence of the actinotrocha representing a “head larva”, which is composed of the most anterior body region that is devoid of Hox gene expression. Such interpretation is further supported by the expression of head-specific transcription factors. This implies that the Hox patterning system is used for the positional information of the trunk rudiments and is, therefore, delayed to the later larval stages. We propose that a new body form was intercalated to the phoronid life cycle by precocious development of the anterior structures or by delayed development of the trunk rudiment in the ancestral phoronid larva.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rosemary Jennifer Hurst

<p>The life cycle of Anisakis simplex in New Zealand waters is described from observations on the morphology, distribution and behaviour of free-living and parasitic stages. Comparison with the life cyles of two other anisakids, Phocanema decipiens Myers 1959 and Thynnascaris adunca Rudolphi 1802 shows differences in distribution, degrees of host specificity, the status of invertebrate hosts, the factors influencing infestation levels of teleost hosts, and the location and pathological effects of infestation. Larval stages occurring in intermediate and paratenic hosts were identified by comparison of larval and adult morphometrics. A. simplex larvae were also positively identified by in vitro cultivation through to adults. Some morphometric variations compared to overseas descriptions are apparent. The ventriculus of A. simplex larvae is shorter relative to body length and the intestinal caecum of P. decipiens is longer relative to ventriculus length. Egg and free-living larval stages were obtained from in vitro cultivation of (A. simplex) and collection of eggs from mature adults from definitive hosts (T. adunca). Eggs of P. decipiens were not obtained. Eggs of A. simplex and T. adunca hatch in 8-11 days at 15 [degrees] C. A. simplex eggs hatch in 6 days at a temperature of 22 [degrees] C and did not hatch in 16 days at 10 [degrees] C. Eggs and free-living stage III larvae of A. simplex and T. adunca are similar in morphology with little differentiation of internal structures. Examination of the stomach contents of pelagic fish infested with anisakids indicated that possible intermediate hosts of A. simplex are the euphausiid Nyctiphanes australis and the decapod Munida gregaria. Possible hosts of T. adunca and M. gregaria are a wide variety of smaller zooplanktonic groups, e.g. decapod larvae and copepods. Larvae of A. simplex were found in one of 8850 N. australis; larvae of T. adunca were found in 69 of 3999 chaetognaths (Sagitta spp.) a medusa and a decapod larva. These larvae are morphologically similar to Stage III larvae from teleosts. No anisakids were found in 3956 Euphausia spp., 1147 M. gregaria and 740 prawns. Twenty five T. adunca larvae and adults were found in 818 freshly eaten M. gregaria in teleost stomachs, indicating that this invertebrate may act as a paratenic and a definitive host. Experimental infection of N. australis and M. gregaria with stage II larvae of A. simplex and T. adunca was unsuccessful. The location of anisakid infestation in three pelagic teleost species, Thyrsites atun, Trachurus novaezelandiae and Trachurus declivis is described. A. simplex larvae are found mainly in the body cavity of all species, at the posterior end of the stomach, with less than one percent occurring in the musculature. Distribution of A. simplex larvae does not change with increasing size of the host or increasing total worm burden. Thyrsites atun have a higher proportion of larvae in the stomach wall (8-13%) compared to Trachurus spp. (< 4%). T. adunca larvae are found infrequently in the body cavity of all three species, on the pyloric caeca and in the stomach wall. Adults and larvae of T. adunca are found more commonly in the alimentary canal, indicating that these teleosts are more important as definitive hosts in the life cycle of this anisakid. P. decipiens larvae are found only in Thyrsites atun and occur mainly in the muscles (98.5%). No quantitative pathogenic effects of anisakid infestation on these teleosts hosts were detected. The main factors influencing the infestation of the three teleost species are age of the host, locality and season. Sex of the host and depth (over the continental shelf, 0-250 m) are not important. A. simplex infestation increased with age in all host species examined, and was higher in Trachurus declivis from the southern-most locality, suggesting the existence of at least two distinct populations of this species. Significant differences in infestation of Thyrsites atun with P. decipiens suggests that this anisakid may be more common in southern localities also. The infestation of Thyrsites atun by larval and adult T. adunca in the alimentary canal is most influenced by season and closely related to diet. Nematode samples were obtained from the marine mammals Arctocephalus forsteri, Kogia breviceps and Phocarctos hookeri. Adult A. simplex were recorded from A. forsteri (a new host record) and Kogia breviceps; preadults from Phocarctos hookeri. Adult P. decipiens were recorded from Phocarctos hookeri; preadults from Arctocephalus forsteri and K. breviceps. Other anisakids found were Anisakis physeteris (Baylis 1923), Contracaecum osculatum Rudolphi 1802 and Pseudoterranova kogiae (Johnston and Mawson 1939) Mosgovoi 1951. These records are all new for the New Zealand region except P. decipiens from P. hookeri and C. osculatum from Arctocephalus forsteri. A. simplex and C. osculatum were found associated with gastric ulcers in Arctocephalus forsteri.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rosemary Jennifer Hurst

<p>The life cycle of Anisakis simplex in New Zealand waters is described from observations on the morphology, distribution and behaviour of free-living and parasitic stages. Comparison with the life cyles of two other anisakids, Phocanema decipiens Myers 1959 and Thynnascaris adunca Rudolphi 1802 shows differences in distribution, degrees of host specificity, the status of invertebrate hosts, the factors influencing infestation levels of teleost hosts, and the location and pathological effects of infestation. Larval stages occurring in intermediate and paratenic hosts were identified by comparison of larval and adult morphometrics. A. simplex larvae were also positively identified by in vitro cultivation through to adults. Some morphometric variations compared to overseas descriptions are apparent. The ventriculus of A. simplex larvae is shorter relative to body length and the intestinal caecum of P. decipiens is longer relative to ventriculus length. Egg and free-living larval stages were obtained from in vitro cultivation of (A. simplex) and collection of eggs from mature adults from definitive hosts (T. adunca). Eggs of P. decipiens were not obtained. Eggs of A. simplex and T. adunca hatch in 8-11 days at 15 [degrees] C. A. simplex eggs hatch in 6 days at a temperature of 22 [degrees] C and did not hatch in 16 days at 10 [degrees] C. Eggs and free-living stage III larvae of A. simplex and T. adunca are similar in morphology with little differentiation of internal structures. Examination of the stomach contents of pelagic fish infested with anisakids indicated that possible intermediate hosts of A. simplex are the euphausiid Nyctiphanes australis and the decapod Munida gregaria. Possible hosts of T. adunca and M. gregaria are a wide variety of smaller zooplanktonic groups, e.g. decapod larvae and copepods. Larvae of A. simplex were found in one of 8850 N. australis; larvae of T. adunca were found in 69 of 3999 chaetognaths (Sagitta spp.) a medusa and a decapod larva. These larvae are morphologically similar to Stage III larvae from teleosts. No anisakids were found in 3956 Euphausia spp., 1147 M. gregaria and 740 prawns. Twenty five T. adunca larvae and adults were found in 818 freshly eaten M. gregaria in teleost stomachs, indicating that this invertebrate may act as a paratenic and a definitive host. Experimental infection of N. australis and M. gregaria with stage II larvae of A. simplex and T. adunca was unsuccessful. The location of anisakid infestation in three pelagic teleost species, Thyrsites atun, Trachurus novaezelandiae and Trachurus declivis is described. A. simplex larvae are found mainly in the body cavity of all species, at the posterior end of the stomach, with less than one percent occurring in the musculature. Distribution of A. simplex larvae does not change with increasing size of the host or increasing total worm burden. Thyrsites atun have a higher proportion of larvae in the stomach wall (8-13%) compared to Trachurus spp. (< 4%). T. adunca larvae are found infrequently in the body cavity of all three species, on the pyloric caeca and in the stomach wall. Adults and larvae of T. adunca are found more commonly in the alimentary canal, indicating that these teleosts are more important as definitive hosts in the life cycle of this anisakid. P. decipiens larvae are found only in Thyrsites atun and occur mainly in the muscles (98.5%). No quantitative pathogenic effects of anisakid infestation on these teleosts hosts were detected. The main factors influencing the infestation of the three teleost species are age of the host, locality and season. Sex of the host and depth (over the continental shelf, 0-250 m) are not important. A. simplex infestation increased with age in all host species examined, and was higher in Trachurus declivis from the southern-most locality, suggesting the existence of at least two distinct populations of this species. Significant differences in infestation of Thyrsites atun with P. decipiens suggests that this anisakid may be more common in southern localities also. The infestation of Thyrsites atun by larval and adult T. adunca in the alimentary canal is most influenced by season and closely related to diet. Nematode samples were obtained from the marine mammals Arctocephalus forsteri, Kogia breviceps and Phocarctos hookeri. Adult A. simplex were recorded from A. forsteri (a new host record) and Kogia breviceps; preadults from Phocarctos hookeri. Adult P. decipiens were recorded from Phocarctos hookeri; preadults from Arctocephalus forsteri and K. breviceps. Other anisakids found were Anisakis physeteris (Baylis 1923), Contracaecum osculatum Rudolphi 1802 and Pseudoterranova kogiae (Johnston and Mawson 1939) Mosgovoi 1951. These records are all new for the New Zealand region except P. decipiens from P. hookeri and C. osculatum from Arctocephalus forsteri. A. simplex and C. osculatum were found associated with gastric ulcers in Arctocephalus forsteri.</p>


Parasitology ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Calow

SUMMARYParasites are more fecund than free-living relatives. The traditional explanation of this is that parasites have to compensate for massive mortality in the transmission phase of their life cycles, but there are neo-Darwinian problems with this interpretation. Similarly, parasites invest more resources in reproduction than free-living relatives but often live longer as adults, and yet negative correlations are expected between fecundity and longevity. These patterns and paradoxes are discussed within the context of a general life-cycle theory. The theory is also used to address questions concerning the influence of age-specific mortality on life-cycle patterns, the trade-off between gamete size and numbers, and the relative merits of gametic and non-gametic reproduction. Wherever possible, the theory is related to facts about parasites.


2018 ◽  
pp. 375-402
Author(s):  
J. Antonio Baeza ◽  
Emiliano H. Ocampo ◽  
Tomás A. Luppi

In the subphylum Crustacea, species from most major clades have independently evolved symbiotic relationships with a wide variety of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Herein, we review the life cycle disparity in symbiotic crustaceans. Relatively simple life cycles with direct or abbreviated development can be found among symbiotic decapods, mysids, and amphipods. Compared to their closest free-living relatives, no major life cycle modifications were detected in these clades as well as in most symbiotic cirripeds. In contrast, symbiotic isopods, copepods, and tantulocarids exhibit complex life cycles with major differences compared to their closest free-living relatives. Key modifications in these clades include the presence of larval stages well endowed for dispersal and host infestation, and the use of up to 2 different host species with dissimilar ecologies throughout their ontogeny. Phylogenetic inertia and restrictions imposed by the body plan of some clades appear to be most relevant in determining life cycle modifications (or the lack thereof) from the “typical” ground pattern. Furthermore, the life cycle ground pattern is likely either constraining or favoring the adoption of a symbiotic lifestyle in some crustacean clades (e.g., in the Thecostraca).


Parasitology ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Bryant

The growth of the three free-living stages of N. dubius was measured in terms of dry and fresh weight. Changes in body water content during moulting were demonstrated by variations in dry weight when expressed as a percentage of fresh weight. The respiration rate of the larvae increased until they became infective, after which time it decreased until five days later no oxygen consumption could be recorded. The inability of all larval stages to withstand anaerobic conditions indicated that their metabolism was essentially aerobic. The relationship between body size and metabolic rate was established for each stage and its significance in relation to the life-cycle discussed.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Muñoz-Antolí ◽  
R. Toledo ◽  
J.G. Esteban

AbstractThe morphology of the different larval stages and life cycle ofHypoderaeum conoideum(Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) are described. The freshwater snail speciesLymnaea peregra(Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) serves as the natural first intermediate host and this andL. corvusserve as experimental first intermediate hosts. These and other freshwater snails, such asPhysella acutaandGyraulus chinensis, in turn serve as second intermediate hosts. Adult worms were obtained from chicks and ducks, but not from rats, mice and golden hamsters. The morphology of the larval stages is compared with previous work onH. conoideum. Several aspects of the biology of the life history stages are described with emphasis on the transmission dynamics of the free-living stages. Differential suitability of the snail species that may act as first and/or second intermediate hosts is studied and discussed.


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