Changes induced by Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda) in the behaviour of the intermediate host Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 2291-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Hurd ◽  
Sharon Fogo
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Aggregation Pheromone ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
Loss Of Response ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
Dose Dependent

Metacestodes of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, have been shown to induce behavioural changes in the intermediate host Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera). Male and female beetles, examined 11–12 days postinfection, were shown to exhibit a significant decrease in activity and photophobic behaviour. In addition, a significant loss of response to aggregation pheromone occurred in both sexes. No differences in host behaviour were detected 4–5 days postinfection. It thus appears that behavioural changes are associated with parasite maturity. We were unable to demonstrate a dose-dependent loss of photophobic behaviour.

Hymenolepis diminuta: influence of metacestodes on synthesis and secretion of fat body protein and its ovarian sequestration in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Hurd ◽  
C. Arme
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Concomitant Reduction ◽  
Fat Bodies

SUMMARYFemale Tenebrio molitor infected with metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta exhibit elevated concentrations of female-specific proteins in their haemolymph and the origin of these has been investigated. Following a 4 h in vitro incubation with [14C]leucine, fat bodies from non-infected females secreted 13 times more protein than those from females 12 days post-infection. A comparison of the uptake in vivo of radio-isotope labelled amino acids by ovaries from non-infected and infected beetles of various ages revealed no differences; however, a 51·5% decrease in protein sequestration was detected in females 12 days post-infection. Electrophoresis of homogenates of radio-isotope labelled ovaries demonstrated that the majority of label was associated with vitellin sub-units. It is suggested that the decrease in vitellogenin sequestration associated with infection results in an increase in the haemolymph concentration of these proteins despite a concomitant reduction in their secretion by fat bodies. Both fat body synthesis and ovarian sequestration are under juvenile hormone control and it is proposed that metacestodes of H. diminuta may cause a reduction in the concentration of this hormone in the intermediate host.

Hymenolepis diminuta: an investigation of juvenile hormone titre, degradation and supplementation in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hurd ◽  
C. Strambi ◽  
N. E. Beckage
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Topical Application ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Female Control

SUMMARYMetacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta cause a perturbance of vitellogenesis in the intermediate host Tenebrio molitor. The reduction in host reproductive output associated with infection may be due to this pathophysiology. Many of these events are regulated by host juvenile hormone (JH). A comparison of the titre of JH and its rate of degradation in female control and parasitized 15-day-old insects has been made. Haemolymph from female beetles contained 1·27 pMol JH equivalents/100 µl. No significant difference was associated with infection. However, topical application of a JH analogue, methoprene, at the time of infecion or 8 days post-infection reduced the significant accumulation of vitellogenin usually found in the haemolymph of females 12 days or more post-infection. These findings indicate that parasite-induced alteration of host vitellogenesis is not mediated via alteration in JH titres, although observations made after hormone supplementation suggest some form of interaction between the parasite and the host endocrine system.

Lack of preference for infective faeces in Hymenolepis diminuta-infected beetles (Tenebrio molitor)

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Shea
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Host Adaptation ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Secondary Infections ◽  
Mean And Variance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Host Behaviour

AbstractThe beetle–tapeworm life cycle provides a convenient system to study how host behaviour influences the probability of re-infection because initial and secondary infections can be tracked. The beetle, Tenebrio molitor, is infected with the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta when it ingests rat faeces containing tapeworm eggs, which upon hatching undergo five morphologically distinct stages while developing inside the beetle. In a series of preference trials, both individual and groups of previously infected beetles were exposed to baits of infective (faeces with eggs) and uninfective faeces. Beetles did not differ in the amount of time spent or in the number of occurrences at each bait type, suggesting that infected beetles show no preference for infective faeces. This may be a host adaptation to avoid further infection, parasite manipulation to avoid competition for host resources, or both. Further, once infected, beetles are no more or no less likely to become re-infected than uninfected beetles. An analysis of the mean and variance of infection suggests that some individuals are highly susceptible to and some are highly resistant to infection, with males being more variable than females. This could explain the higher load of cysticercoids observed in males.

Effect of metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta on storage and circulating carbohydrates in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Y. Kearns ◽  
H. Hurd ◽  
A. S. Pullin
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Carbohydrate Reserves ◽  
Biochemical Studies

SUMMARYThe metamorphosis of oncospheres of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, to mature metacestodes induces several pathophysiological effects in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera). Previous investigations have failed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for changes in the host reproductive physiology and behaviour. This work forms part of an assessment of the degree to which nutrient resource management may be involved in these interactions. We report that developing metacestodes exert a pronounced effect upon host carbohydrate reserves and also alter circulating carbohydrate titres at some stages post-infection. Biochemical studies of fat body glycogen demonstrated a significant depletion of reserves as early as 3 days post-infection in males and 5 days post-infection in females. Gas chromatography revealed trehalose to be the predominant haemolymph carbohydrate, titres being significantly elevated in male beetles 5 and 9 days post-infection and in females 12 days post-infection. Metacestodes had no effect on glucose concentrations in male or female beetles.

scholarly journals Efficacy of condensed tannins against larval Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda) in vitro and in the intermediate host Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) in vivo

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suraj Dhakal ◽  
Nicolai V. Meyling ◽  
Andrew R. Williams ◽  
Irene Mueller-Harvey ◽  
Christos Fryganas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta

Evidence against the hypothesis that metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta inhibit corpora allata functioning in the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Hurd ◽  
R. J. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Corpora Allata ◽  
Hormone Production ◽  
Control Female ◽  
And Control

SUMMARYSeveral of the pathophysiological responses made by the beetle Tenebrio molitor, when infected with metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta, may be attributed to a parasite-induced reduction in host juvenile hormone titre. It has been suggested that production of this hormone by the corpora allata may be inhibited in parasitized insects. This hypothesis was tested using an in vitro radiochemical assay to compare the biosynthesis of juvenile hormone by single pairs of corpora allata taken from mated 12- and 15-day-old infected and control female insects. The results demonstrate, however, that there was no difference in hormone production associated with metacestode infection. Other possible mechanisms for parasite interference in this host endocrine system are discussed.

Predation of beetles (Tenebrio molitor) infected with tapeworms (Hymenolepis diminuta): a note of caution for the Manipulation Hypothesis

Parasitology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. WEBSTER ◽  
S. GOWTAGE-SEQUEIRA ◽  
M. BERDOY ◽  
H. HURD
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Predation Rates

Previous laboratory studies have indicated that tenebrionid beetles infected with Hymenolepis diminuta display behavioural alterations. These are assumed to increase the likelihood of this intermediate host being predated by the Rattus sp. definitive host, and hence provide support for the Manipulation Hypothesis. We tested this hypothesis by both assessing beetle behaviour and predation rates in semi-naturalistic environments. Behavioural assays showed that infected beetles were more often exposed (not concealed under boxes) than uninfected beetles. However, there were no differences in predation rates between infected and uninfected beetles. We discuss this in terms of the historical and evolutionary contexts under which such altered behaviours could evolve and their implications for the Manipulation Hypothesis.

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