scholarly journals Dynamics and effects of Ligula intestinalis (L.) infection in the native fish Barbus callensis Valenciennes, 1842 in Algeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Ould Rouis ◽  
Abdelhalim Ould Rouis ◽  
Henri J. Dumont ◽  
Kit Magellan ◽  
Abdeslem Arab
Keyword(s):  
Native Fish ◽  
Ligula Intestinalis ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
New Location

AbstractThe dynamics of the emergence, duration, and decline phases in epizootic cycles are well known for humans and some crops, but they are poorly understood for host–parasite systems in the wild. Parasites may be particularly insidious as they are often introduced unintentionally, simultaneously with their hosts, and later transferred to species in the new location. Here we investigate the epizootic dynamics of the tapeworm

scholarly journals Blood parasites in vectors reveal a united blackfly community in the upper canopy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayden Chakarov ◽  
Helge Kampen ◽  
Anja Wiegmann ◽  
Doreen Werner ◽  
Staffan Bensch
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Avian Host ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasite ◽  
Host Group ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasites ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract Background: The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by these vectors. Methods: In this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in central Europe and examined the presence of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites in them. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. Results: We identified nine species of Simulium blackflies, largely belonging to the subgenera Nevermannia and Eusimulium. Only 1% of the collected specimens was visibly engorged, and only 4% contained remains of host DNA. However, in 29% of the blackflies Leucocytozoon lineages were identified, which is evidence of a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages, we can infer that large and/or abundant birds, such as thrushes, crows, pigeons, birds of prey, owls and tits are the main targets of ornithophilic blackflies in the canopy. Blackfly species contained similar proportions of host group-specific parasite lineages and thus do not appear to be associated with particular host groups. Conclusions: The Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons present in most represented blackfly species suggests a lack of association between hosts and blackflies, which can increase the probability of host switches of blood parasites. However, the composition of the simuliid species differed between nests of common buzzards, goshawks and red kites. This segregation can be explained by coinciding habitat preferences between host and vector, and may lead to the fast speciation of Leucocytozoon parasites. Thus, subtle ecological preferences and lack of host preference of vectors in the canopy may enable both parasite diversification and host switches, and enforce a habitat-dependent evolution of avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidia.

scholarly journals The first unified inventory of non-native fishes of the South Caucasian countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

2021 ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Tatia Kuljanishvili ◽  
Levan Mumladze ◽  
Bella Japoshvili ◽  
Namig Mustafayev ◽  
Shaig Ibrahimov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Native Fish ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
The South ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Native Fishes

The South Caucasus (SC) region is recognized for its high biological diversity and various endemic animal taxa. The area has experienced many fish introductions over the years, but the overall information about non-native fishes in the three SC countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia did not exist. Although these three countries belong to the Kura River drainage, Caspian Sea basin (only the western half of Georgia drains into the Black Sea), the legislative framework for each country regarding introduction of non-native fish species and their treatment is different and poorly developed. The goal of the present study was to make an initial inventory of non-native fish species in the three SC countries, and summarize the existing knowledge as a basis for future risk assessment models and formulation of regional management policies. Here, we present a unified list of 27 non-native species recorded in the wild in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Among these 27 species, eight were translocated from the Black Sea basin to the Caspian Sea basin. Out of these 27 non-native fishes, 15 species have become established (three of them being considered invasive) and six fish species could not survive in the wild.

Diagnosing genetically diverse avian malarial infections using mixed-sequence analysis and TA-cloning

Parasitology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. PÉREZ-TRIS ◽  
S. BENSCH
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
The Other ◽  
Multiple Infections ◽  
Template Switching ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Host Parasite

Birds harbouring several malarial parasites are common in the wild, and resolving such multiple infections is important for our understanding of host–parasite relationships. We propose a simple and reasonably accurate method for detecting and resolving multiple infections, based on the analysis of parasite cytochrome b DNA sequences: genetically mixed infections are first identified by double nucleotide peaks on sequence electropherograms, and later retrieved by TA-cloning. We applied this method to wild birds, and to experimentally created mixes with varying proportion of two parasites (Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp.). In general, the method was very efficient in detecting and resolving multiple infections, but some problems were encountered. Several multiple infections were erroneously scored as simple, either because one of the parasite lineages was a better target for the primers used, or because it was much more abundant in the mix. On the other hand, single nucleotide substitutions and template switching during PCR produced artificial sequences in some clones. We discuss the utility of the method, and propose a framework for its use when screening for genetically diverse avian malarial parasites.

scholarly journals Aquarium trade and fish farms as a source of non-native freshwater fish introductions in French Guiana

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Sébastien Brosse ◽  
Antoine Baglan ◽  
Raphael Covain ◽  
Hadrien Lalagüe ◽  
Pierre-Yves Le Bail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Poecilia Reticulata ◽  
Native Fish ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Fish Introductions ◽  
Arapaima Gigas ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Pterophyllum Scalare ◽  
Fish Trade

Rivers of French Guiana are still little invaded by non-native fish, but several fish introductions were recently recorded through the development of aquarium fish trade and fish farms. Here we report records of 11 non-native fish species. Among them, four (Cichla monoculus, Heros efasciatus, Mesonauta guyanae and Poecilia reticulata) are established and one of them (Heros efasciatus) is rapidly increasing its spatial range. Two species (Hyphessobrycon eques and Pterophyllum scalare) were not retrieved in recent records and are probably extinct from French Guiana. The establishment status of the five other species (Arapaima gigas, Colossoma macropomum, Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis mossambicus and Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is uncertain and only a few specimens were observed in the wild. Nevertheless, these species, intensively reared in nearby countries, belong to highly invasive species able to cause detrimental impacts on recipient ecosystems. Those first occurrences of invasive fish species in French Guiana should therefore act as an early warning for both researchers and environmental managers.

scholarly journals Blood parasites in vectors reveal a united blackfly community in the upper canopy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayden Chakarov ◽  
Helge Kampen ◽  
Oliver Krüger ◽  
Anja Wiegmann ◽  
Doreen Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Host Preference ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Avian Host ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasite ◽  
Host Group ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract BackgroundThe behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence host-parasite coevolution but is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by these vectors. MethodsIn this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in Central Europe and examined their load of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. ResultsWe identified eight species of Simulium blackflies, largely belonging to the subgenera Nevermannia and Eusimulium. Only 1% of the collected specimens was visibly engorged, and only 4% contained remains of host DNA. However, in 29% of the blackflies Leucocytozoon-lineages were identified, suggesting a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the represented Leucocytozoon-lineages, we found that large and/or abundant birds, such as thrushes, crows, pigeons, birds of prey, owls and tits are the main targets of ornithophilic blackflies in the canopy. Blackfly species contained similar proportions of host group-specific parasite lineages and thus do not appear to prefer particular host groups. ConclusionsThe lack of host preference by blackflies vectors can lead to common host switches of blood parasites, as becomes apparent in the Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons. However, the abundance of simuliid species differed between nests of common buzzards, goshawks and red kites. This segregation can be explained by coinciding habitat preferences between host and vector, and may lead to the fast speciation of Leucocytozoon parasites. Thus, subtle ecological preferences and lack of host preference of vectors in the canopy may enable both parasite diversification and host switches, and enforce a habitat-dependent evolution of avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidia.

scholarly journals Three tick species parasitizing a rock python in Sri Lanka

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56
Author(s):  
T.S.P. Fernando ◽  
H.K.A.V.A. Kulasena Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Host Parasite

Parasitism is a relationship where one of the parties (the parasite) either harms its host or lives at the expense of it. Host parasite interactions are important driving forces in population dynamics and even extinction. These interactions are also indicators of ecosystem health and they are important in stabilizing food webs. A parasite may cause mechanical injury, stimulate a damaging inflammatory or immune response, or simply rob the host of nutrition. However in the wild most parasites must live in harmony with their hosts. If the parasites kill the host, they themselves would ultimately die without shelter and nutrition. Reptiles become hosts to a number of parasitic organisms ranging from protozoans to arthropods. Among these, ticks (hard and soft) are the most common arthropod group that parasitizes reptiles.

scholarly journals Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): an ideal fish-metazoan parasite model?

Parasitology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. HOOLE ◽  
V. CARTER ◽  
S. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Ligula Intestinalis ◽  
Metazoan Parasite ◽  
Host Parasite Interactions ◽  
Parasite Ecology ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Scientific Tool

SUMMARYSince its use as a model to study metazoan parasite culture and in vitro development, the plerocercoid of the tapeworm, Ligula intestinalis, has served as a useful scientific tool to study a range of biological factors, particularly within its fish intermediate host. From the extensive long-term ecological studies on the interactions between the parasite and cyprinid hosts, to the recent advances made using molecular technology on parasite diversity and speciation, studies on the parasite have, over the last 60 years, led to significant advances in knowledge on host-parasite interactions. The parasite has served as a useful model to study pollution, immunology and parasite ecology and genetics, as well has being the archetypal endocrine disruptor.

scholarly journals Infestation of the cupped oysters Crassostrea angulata, C. gigas and their first-generation hybrids by the copepod Myicola ostreae: differences in susceptibility and host response

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. BATISTA ◽  
P. BOUDRY ◽  
A. DOS SANTOS ◽  
T. RENAULT ◽  
F. RUANO
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Parasitic Copepod ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Ria Formosa ◽  
Inherited Susceptibility ◽  
Crassostrea Angulata ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYWe studied the prevalence and intensity of the parasitic copepod Myicola ostreae in 2 closely related oysters Crassostrea angulata and C. gigas and their F1 hybrids. The effects on host and host reaction were also analysed to better understand host-parasite relationships between copepods and bivalve molluscs. Full reciprocal crosses were carried out between C. angulata and C. gigas and the progenies were reared in the wild in Ria Formosa Lagoon (Portugal), allowing natural infestation by M. ostreae. Prevalence and intensity were significantly higher in C. angulata than in C. gigas. The parasite level of F1 hybrids was similar to C. angulata and significantly higher than in C. gigas. The results of our study support a hypothesis of dominantly inherited susceptibility to M. ostreae infestation. Moreover, copepods were observed on the gill surface of C. gigas engulfed by a capsule-like structure. Histological analyses revealed that the copepods were surrounded by a massive agglomerate of haemocyte-like cells encircled by a thin layer of fibroblast-like cells. This encapsulation response was not observed in C. angulata or in F1 hybrids. These results suggest that the differential susceptibility to M. ostreae between C. angulata and C. gigas may be ascribed to host defence factors.

scholarly journals Video analysis of host–parasite interactions in nests of Darwin’s finches

Oryx ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody A. O’Connor ◽  
Jeremy Robertson ◽  
Sonia Kleindorfer
Keyword(s):  
Camera System ◽  
New Host ◽  
Darwin's Finches ◽  
Darwin’S Finches ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Nest Camera ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
High Parasite ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractParasites place their hosts under strong selection for adaptive traits that increase parasite resistance. The initial impact of invasive parasites has rarely been observed and can be particularly strong on naïve hosts with limited prior exposure to parasites.Philornis downsiis an introduced fly to the Galapagos Islands whose parasitic larvae cause high mortality in nestlings of Darwin's finches. We used a within-nest camera system and nest monitoring data to examine this new host–parasite interaction in the wild. ManyP. downsiflies entered finch nests with incubated eggs or nestlings but only when parent finches were not present. ParasiticP. downsilarvae were observed to emerge from the nest base at night to feed both internally and externally on nestlings. Adult and nestling Darwin’s finches exhibit grooming and avoidance behaviours in the presence ofP. downsiparasites. Specifically, in nests with high parasite intensity, nestlings increased self-preening behaviour, ate larvae and stood on top of one another. Female finches probed into their nestling’s nares (first instar larvae reside in the nares) and probed into the nest base (second and third larvae reside in the nest base during the day). These findings shed light on the emergence of anti-parasite behaviour as well as host–parasite relationships after recent parasitism in a naïve host.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document