The evolution of body size in the Monogenea: the role of host size and latitude

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 726-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Host Size ◽  
Independent Contrasts ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Phylogenetically Independent Contrasts ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Host Body Size

Monogeneans form a diverse group of parasitic platyhelminths that show substantial interspecific variation in body size, though this variation remains largely unexplained. The relationships between monogenean body size and both host body size and latitude were examined in comparative analyses using data from 613 monogenean species. First, phylogenetically independent contrasts among 39 monogenean families revealed no relationship between host size and parasite size. However, large parasite size was consistently associated with high latitude, suggesting that larger body size in monogeneans may result more from external factors such as temperature than from host-related factors. The potential effects of other variables (site of attachment on the host, host taxonomy, and type of aquatic habitat) could not be assessed in the analysis. Second, analyses among genera within families failed to show any consistent relationships between monogenean body size and either host size or latitude. The results of this study suggest that latitude had an evolutionary influence on monogenean body size, though this may be only visible in comparisons among higher taxonomic levels, and that monogenean body size has not simply adjusted to host body size following host-switching events.

Evolution of interspecific variation in size of attachment structures in the large tapeworm genusAcanthobothrium(Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae)

Parasitology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 137 (11) ◽  
pp. 1707-1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. RANDHAWA ◽  
R. POULIN
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Independent Contrasts ◽  
Scaling Exponents ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Attachment Structures ◽  
Mode Of Attachment ◽  
Host Body Size

SUMMARYParasites have evolved a myriad of attachment structures closely adapted to their hosts and sites of attachment. Here, using members of the genusAcanthobothriumvan Beneden, 1850 (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae), we (i) examined the influence of host body size and phylogeny, in addition to morphological features of these tapeworms, on the size of 3 structures used in attachment (bothridia, accessory suckers and hooks) by means of general linear models and phylogenetic-independent contrasts methods, and (ii) quantified the scaling exponents of relationships between size of attachment structures and tapeworm body size. Our results indicate that there exists a positive relationship, albeit not directly proportional, between size of attachment structures andAcanthobothriumspp. body size, and hook size and size of bothridia and accessory suckers. These results suggest that the resource investment in whole-body growth is greater than that in attachment structures, and that a greater investment in development of bothridia and accessory suckers is required to maintain an equivalent functional efficacy to hooks. In addition, host body size also influences, though less markedly, the size of attachment structures inAcanthobothriumspp. independently of parasite size itself.Acanthobothriumspecies have evolved a generalized mode of attachment that is successful in maintaining their position on various intestinal mucosal topographies across a variety of hosts exploiting different food resources.

Explaining variability in parasite aggregation levels among host samples

Parasitology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT POULIN
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Parasite Aggregation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Host Body Size

SUMMARYAggregated distributions among individual hosts are a defining feature of metazoan parasite populations. Heterogeneity among host individuals in exposure to parasites or in susceptibility to infection is thought to be the main factor generating aggregation, with properties of parasites themselves explaining some of the variability in aggregation levels observed among species. Here, using data from 410 samples of helminth parasites on fish hosts, I tested the contribution of (i) within-sample variation in host body size, taken as a proxy for variability in host susceptibility, and (ii) parasite taxon and developmental stage, to the aggregated distribution of parasites. Log-transformed variance in numbers of parasites per host was regressed against log mean number across all samples; the strong relationship (r2 = 0·88) indicated that aggregation levels are tightly constrained by mean infection levels, and that only a small proportion of the observed variability in parasite aggregation levels remains to be accounted for by other factors. Using the residuals of this regression as measures of ‘unexplained’ aggregation, a mixed effects model revealed no significant effect of within-sample variation in host body size or of parasite taxon or stage (i.e. juvenile versus adult) on parasite aggregation level within a sample. However, much of the remaining variability in parasite aggregation levels among samples was accounted for by the number of individual hosts examined per sample, and species-specific and study-specific effects reflecting idiosyncrasies of particular systems. This suggests that with most differences in aggregation among samples already explained, there may be little point in seeking universal causes for the remaining variation.

The role of ecological opportunity in shaping host–parasite networks

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (13) ◽  
pp. 1452-1460
Author(s):  
Elvira D'Bastiani ◽  
Karla M. Campião ◽  
Walter A. Boeger ◽  
Sabrina B. L. Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Ecological Opportunity ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Seasonally Flooded ◽  
Brazilian Pantanal ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Body Size

AbstractDespite the great interest to quantify the structure of host–parasite interaction networks, the real influence of some factors such as taxonomy, host body size and ecological opportunity remains poorly understood. In this paper, we investigate the general patterns of organization and structure of interactions in two anuran–parasite networks in the Brazilian Pantanal (seasonally flooded environment) and Atlantic Forest (non-flooded forest). We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy and host body size. Subsequently, we calculated metrics of connectance, nestedness and modularity to characterize the network structure. We demonstrated the structure networks were influenced mainly by body size and taxonomy of the host. Moreover, our results showed that the seasonally flooded environment present networks with higher connectance/nestedness and lower modularity compared to the other environment. The results also suggest that seasonal floods may promote ecological opportunities for new species associations.

scholarly journals Raillietiella mottae (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) parasitizing four species of Gekkota lizards (Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae) in the Brazilian Caatinga

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. F. Lima ◽  
S. V. Brito ◽  
J. A. Araujo Filho ◽  
D. A. Teles ◽  
S. C. Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
New Host ◽  
Parasite Abundance ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Host Sex ◽  
New Host Records ◽  
Host Body Size

Summary We tested the role of sex, size, and mass of the lizards Phyllopezus pollicaris, Gymnodactylus geckoides, Hemidactylus agrius, Lygodactylus klugei, and Hemidactylus brasilianus on the rates of pentastomid infection in the Brazilian Caatinga. We collected 355 individuals of these five species, of which four (prevalence of infection: P. pollicaris 15.9 %, G. geckoides 1.4 %, H. agrius 28.57 %, and H. brasilianus 4.16 %) were infected by Raillietiella mottae. Parasite abundance was influenced by host body size and mass only in P. pollicaris. Host sex did not influence the abundance of parasites in any species. Hemidactylus agrius, G. geckoides, and H. brasilianus are three new host records for pentastomids.

scholarly journals Costs of immune responses are related to host body size and lifespan

2017 ◽  
Vol 327 (5) ◽  
pp. 254-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber J. Brace ◽  
Marc J. Lajeunesse ◽  
Daniel R. Ardia ◽  
Dana M. Hawley ◽  
James S. Adelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Host Body Size

scholarly journals Host body size and the diversity of tick assemblages on Neotropical vertebrates

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Esser ◽  
Janet E. Foley ◽  
Frans Bongers ◽  
Edward Allen Herre ◽  
Matthew J. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Host Body Size

scholarly journals Consumer and host body size effects on the removal of trematode cercariae by ambient communities

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-347
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Welsh ◽  
Anke Hempel ◽  
Mirjana Markovic ◽  
Jaap van der Meer ◽  
David W. Thieltges
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Size Effects ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Host Body Size ◽  
Significant Mortality

AbstractParasite transmission can be altered via the removal of parasites by the ambient communities in which parasite–host interactions take place. However, the mechanisms driving parasite removal remain poorly understood. Using marine trematode cercariae as a model system, we investigated the effects of consumer and host body size on parasite removal rates. Laboratory experiments revealed that consumer or host body size significantly affected cercarial removal rates in crabs, oysters and cockles but not in shrimps. In general, cercarial removal rates increased with consumer (crabs and oysters) and host (cockles) body size. For the filter feeding oysters and cockles, the effects probably relate to their feeding activity which is known to correlate with bivalve size. Low infection levels found in cockle hosts suggest that parasite removal by hosts also leads to significant mortality of infective stages. The size effects of crab and shrimp predators on cercarial removal rates were more complex and did not show an expected size match-mismatch between predators and their cercarial prey, suggesting that parasite removal rates in predators are species-specific. We conclude that to have a comprehensive understanding of parasite removal by ambient communities, more research into the various mechanisms of cercarial removal is required.

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