Parasite-induced changes in the behaviour of cestode-infected beetles: adaptation or simple pathology?

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1268-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonia Robb ◽  
Mary L. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Tribolium Confusum ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Larval Form ◽  
Infected Female ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
Male Pheromones ◽  
Induced Changes

Although the cause is often unclear, many parasites alter the behaviour of their intermediate hosts. The larval form of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, has previously been shown to modify the behaviour of its intermediate host, the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, in a manner that may be adaptive to the parasite. To test this explanation we observed host behaviours including activity, concealment, and the response to and production of pheromones. Infected female beetles examined both 4–5 and 11–12 days post infection were slower moving and slower to conceal themselves than uninfected conspecifics; however, they did not differ from uninfected individuals in staying concealed. Infection of T. confusum did not affect the production of pheromones by mated and virgin females or the response of females to male pheromones. A second hypothesis for altered behaviours may be that modified behaviours result from pathology. The survivorship of mated infected female beetles was significantly lower than that of infected virgin beetles and uninfected beetles. Thus, both mated status and infection were important factors in survivorship, but only infection had significant effects on the altered behaviours. In this system, therefore, the hypothesis that behavioural changes are due to adaptive manipulation of the host by the parasite is supported.

The influence of second intermediate host species on the infectivity of metacercarial cysts of Echinoparyphium recurvatum

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Biomphalaria Glabrata ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Potential Influence ◽  
Second Intermediate Host

The potential influence of second intermediate host species on the infectivity of metacercarial cysts of Echinoparyphium recurvatum to the definitive host Anas platyrhynchos was examined experimentally. Echinoparyphium recurvatum metacercarial cysts were obtained from the following experimentally infected second intermediate hosts 14 days post expsoure to cercariae: Lymnaea peregra; Physa fontinalis; L. stagnalis;Planorbis planorbis; Biomphalaria glabrata; tadpoles of the amphibian Rana temporaria. Metacercarial cysts from each of these hosts were fed, in doses of 50 cysts per individual, to separate groups composed of between four and eight, 3-day-old A. platyrhynchos ducklings. All A. platyrhynchos were necropsied 15 days post-infection and the number, size, and reproductive status of E. recurvatum worms in the intestine was recorded. Analyses of variance on the number (transformed log (x + 1)) and size of worms revealed no significant differences in worms originating from metacercariae formed in the different second intermediate hosts (worm number P > 0.05, and worm size P > 0.05). All worms recovered were found to be gravid. It is therefore concluded that the species of second intermediate host utilized does not influence the infectivity of the metacercarial cyst of E. recurvatum, nor the subsequent establishment and reproductive status of the parasite in A. platyrhynchos.

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.

The effect of mebendazole on different developmental stages of Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 604-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Novak ◽  
W. S. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Tribolium Confusum ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta

Tribolium confusum beetles infected with Hymenolepis diminuta were fed continuously from day 1, 3, 5, 6, or 7 to day 10 post infection (p.i.) on a mixture composed of two parts Telmin (containing 16.67% of mebendazole) and one part flour. The drug inhibited the worm development and this effect decreased as the age of larvae at the time of the first exposure increased. Lowered incidence of infection, decreased population size, and retarded development were apparent when the beetles were given drug from day 3 p.i. or earlier. Retarded development was also observed in cysticercoids from beetles given drug from day 5 p.i. When given from day 6 or later, it had no effect on worm development. However, when compared with larvae from beetles fed only flour, cysticercoids exposed to the drug from day 6 or later showed reduced infectivity and a decrease in their ability to excyst in vitro. Fully developed infective cysticercoids exposed to the drug from day 10 p.i. or later were not affected by it.

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.

Effect of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, on the coprophagic activity of its intermediate host, Tribolium confusum

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 2311-2314 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Evans ◽  
M. C. Hardy ◽  
Renate Singh ◽  
G. E. Moodie ◽  
J. J. Cote
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Tribolium Confusum ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Test Arena ◽  
The Difference

Populations of Tribolium confusum that had been fed continuously (satiated) or starved for 48 h were separated into groups of 10 beetles each. Each group was placed in a test arena (diameter 90 mm) that contained two infective baits (feces from rats infected with patent Hymenolepis diminuta) and two baits from uninfected rats and allowed to forage for 120 or 240 min. The number of beetles aggregated in the immediate region of each bait was recorded every 20 min until the experiment was terminated. During the first 180 min the distribution of the beetles in the starved populations invariably favoured (P < 0.025) the infective baits. A similar trend was observed with satiated beetles but the difference in beetle distribution was significant (P < 0.001) only at the 100-min observation time. With both starved and satiated populations the differences in distribution between bait types were not significant after 180 min.

Effects of parasite strain and intermediate host species on carbohydrate intermediary metabolism in the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Mettrick ◽  
M. S. Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Carbohydrate Metabolism ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Adenine Nucleotide ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasite Strain ◽  
End Products ◽  
Lactate Excretion

Two strains of Hymenolepis diminuta were reared using Tribolium confusum and Tenebrio molitor as intermediate hosts. The carbohydrate metabolism, excreted end products, and adenine nucleotide levels of the adult parasites were compared following 60-min in vitro incubations, in the presence or absence of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The strain of parasite, species of intermediate host, and the presence of 5-HT had significant effects on tissue levels of intermediaries in carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolic activity was greater when Tr. confusum was the intermediate host. With Te. molitor, the pool sizes and excretory products were increased compared with Tr. confusum. Discriminant analysis indicated that fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) and phosphoenolpyruvate accounted for 82% of the significant variance between the two parasite strains; succinate accounted for 39% of the differences between hosts; lactate, FDP, pyruvate, and acetate accounted for 45% of the differences owing to 5-HT. Acetate and lactate excretion accounted for 47% of the variance between strains; lactate, acetate, and total end products accounted for 58% of the variance between hosts; lactate, acetate, and total excreted products accounted for 38% of the variance owing to 5-HT. AMP accounted for 20% of the variance between strains; ATP and ADP accounted for 74% of the variance between hosts.

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.

Comparison of the effects of multiple variables on the levels of infection of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in its intermediate host, the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yezerski ◽  
Y. Luyten ◽  
T. Dubiel
Keyword(s):  
Tribolium Confusum ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mating Status ◽  
Current Infection ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
The Times ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Feeding Development ◽  
Confused Flour Beetle

Abstract The interaction of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, with its intermediate beetle host, Tribolium confusum, is a well-studied model system. However, there is so much variation in the methods and designs of the studies that it is difficult to draw comparisons. This study simultaneously compared several aspects of the infection protocol including beetle age, sex, density and mating status; parasite egg condition, infection environment humidity and the times for the three steps of infection: starvation, feeding and post-feeding development. Although statistically limited by low prevalence and intensity levels, we were able to detect the relative effects of the variables. The effects of these variables on prevalence (percent infection) and intensity (mean number of cysticercoids) do not necessarily correlate with each other. Egg condition, reduced starvation times, higher beetle density and longer development times reduced prevalence. However, differences in intensity were only detected with older beetles. When coupled with survivorship data, our study found that our current infection protocol is optimal for infection success. However, the results suggest extending the study to other intermediate hosts and the inclusion of additional variables.

Interactions of the cysticercoids of Hymenolepis diminuta and Raillietina cesticillus in their intermediate host, Tribolium confusum

Parasitology ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Gordon ◽  
P. J. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Primary Infection ◽  
Challenge Infection ◽  
Tribolium Confusum ◽  
Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽  
Ecological Significance ◽  
Experimental Exposure ◽  
Establishment Success ◽  
Homologous Challenge

This study was based on the experimental exposure of beetles to homologous and heterologous infections of Hymenolepis diminuta and Raillietina cesticillus. The results demonstrated that, for both species over the range of parasite densities employed, the presence of a primary infection had no effect on the establishment success of an homologous challenge infection. The establishment success of R. cesticillus cysticercoids was not affected by the presence of an H. diminuta infection. The existence of an R. cesticillus infection, however, severely reduced the establishment success of an H. diminuta infection. The reduction in H. diminuta establishment was greatest in R. cesticillus infections less than 10 days old. The plausibility of some of the mechanisms that are potentially responsible for the reduction in H. diminuta establishment success is discussed, as is the possible ecological significance of these results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document