scholarly journals DNA Footprints: Using Parasites to Detect Elusive Animals, Proof of Principle in Hedgehogs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1420
Author(s):  
Simon Allen ◽  
Carolyn Greig ◽  
Ben Rowson ◽  
Robin B. Gasser ◽  
Abdul Jabbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Molecular Test ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
European Hedgehog ◽  
Second Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Specific Parasite ◽  
Objective Tool ◽  
Proof Of Principle

The Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceous europaeus) is a nocturnal animal that is in decline in much of Europe, but the monitoring of this species is subjective, prone to error, and an inadequate basis for estimating population trends. Here, we report the use of Crenosoma striatum, a parasitic nematode specific to hedgehogs as definitive hosts, to detect hedgehog presence in the natural environment. This is achieved through collecting and sampling the parasites within their intermediate hosts, gastropoda, a group much simpler to locate and sample in both urban and rural habitats. C. striatum and Crenosoma vulpis were collected post-mortem from the lungs of hedgehogs and foxes, respectively. Slugs were collected in two sessions, during spring and autumn, from Skomer Island (n = 21), which is known to be free of hedgehogs (and foxes); and Pennard, Swansea (n = 42), known to have a healthy hedgehog population. The second internal transcribed spacer of parasite ribosomal DNA was used to develop a highly specific, novel, PCR based multiplex assay. Crenosoma striatum was found only at the site known to be inhabited by hedgehogs, at an average prevalence in gastropods of 10% in spring and autumn. The molecular test was highly specific: One mollusc was positive for both C. striatum and C. vulpis, and differentiation between the two nematode species was clear. This study demonstrates proof of principle for using detection of specific parasite DNA in easily sampled intermediate hosts to confirm the presence of an elusive nocturnal definitive host species. The approach has great potential as an adaptable, objective tool to supplement and support existing ecological survey methods.

scholarly journals The Caenorhabditis elegans DEG-3/DES-2 Channel Is a Betaine-Gated Receptor Insensitive to Monepantel

Molecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Tina V. A. Hansen ◽  
Heinz Sager ◽  
Céline E. Toutain ◽  
Elise Courtot ◽  
Cédric Neveu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocytes ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Electrode Voltage ◽  
Insight Into

Natural plant compounds, such as betaine, are described to have nematocidal properties. Betaine also acts as a neurotransmitter in the free-living model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, where it is required for normal motility. Worm motility is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), including subunits from the nematode-specific DEG-3 group. Not all types of nAChRs in this group are associated with motility, and one of these is the DEG-3/DES-2 channel from C. elegans, which is involved in nociception and possibly chemotaxis. Interestingly, the activity of DEG-3/DES-2 channel from the parasitic nematode of ruminants, Haemonchus contortus, is modulated by monepantel and its sulfone metabolite, which belong to the amino-acetonitrile derivative anthelmintic drug class. Here, our aim was to advance the pharmacological knowledge of the DEG-3/DES-2 channel from C. elegans by functionally expressing the DEG-3/DES-2 channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes and using two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology. We found that the DEG-3/DES-2 channel was more sensitive to betaine than ACh and choline, but insensitive to monepantel and monepantel sulfone when used as direct agonists and as allosteric modulators in co-application with betaine. These findings provide important insight into the pharmacology of DEG-3/DES-2 from C. elegans and highlight the pharmacological differences between non-parasitic and parasitic nematode species.

scholarly journals Differentiated effects of parasitic nematodes Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita on slugs of the genus Deroceras and snails of the genus Arion

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Pavlína Šenoldová ◽  
Jiří Rotrekl
Keyword(s):  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
The Family ◽  
Snail Family ◽  
Phasmarhabditis Hermaphrodita ◽  
Differentiated Effects

This paper compares efficiency of preparations based on a parasitic nematode species Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita with a molluscocide containing methiocarb as an effective substance. Parasitic nematodes by the family Agriolimacidae showed a significantly better effect on mortality and reduction of the percentage of damaged plants than the methiocarb-based preparation. Under laboratory and field conditions, the efficiency of parasitic nematodes on the family Agriolimacidae ranged from 84% to 94% and from 81% to 94%, resp., while the percentages of damaged plants were minimal in both cases. The corresponding effects of the methiocarb-based molluscocide were only 35% and 21%, resp. The effect of parasitic P. hermaphrodita nematodes on members of the snail family Arionidae was not demonstrated both under laboratory and field conditons and the mortality was up to 6% with a total defoliation of plants. Under laboratory and field conditions, the mortality of slugs from the genus Arion after the application of methiocarb-based preparation was 53% and 38%, resp. However, the damage of plants was significant and it reached nearly 67% and 60% under laboratory and field conditions, resp.

Prioritising plant-parasitic nematode species biosecurity risks using self organising maps

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1515-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil K. Singh ◽  
Dean R. Paini ◽  
Gavin J. Ash ◽  
Mike Hodda
Keyword(s):  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Plant Parasitic

Gastric Nematode Communities in Lizards From the Great Victoria Desert, and an Hypothesis for Their Evolution

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
HI Jones
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Evolutionary Phase ◽  
Paratenic Hosts

This study examines the biology of gastric nematodes in two communities of lizards from the Great Victoria Desert, and develops an hypothesis for their evolution. Abbreviata antarctica A. hastaspicula, A, levicauda, A. tumidocapitis, Skrjabinoptera goldmanae, Kreisiella chrysocampa, Physalopteroides filicauda, Wanaristrongylus ctenoti and W. papangawurpae were recovered from 3023 lizards of 45 species from two different habitats. Genera in the Physalopterinae (Abbreviata, Skrjabinoptera and Kreisiella) exhibited narrow host specificities, Abbreviara and Skrjabinoptera occurring as adults only in larger host species (Varanus gouldii, V. tristis and Pogona minor). P. filicauda and encysted larvae of Physalopterinae occurred widely in the smaller lizard species in all five families represented. Eight of the nine nematode species were recovered from both lizard populations, and differences in prevalence and number of host species infected are discussed in terms of core hosts providing an infective pool. Associations were derived between parameters of infection (prevalence, intensity and abundance) and host size across and within species; abundance of nematodes in Ctenotus skinks correlated with host geographical range. Epidemiological evidence is presented that suggests that termites are intermediate hosts to species of Physalopterinae, and that Orthoptera may be intermediate hosts to P.filicauda. It is suggested that species in the Physalopterinae arose in smaller lizards (where they are now represented by the morphologically primitive Kreisiella), and that they were acquired by large predatory species by host capture, and in which they are now speciating. The small lizards now act as paratenic hosts to their larvae, and the niches left vacant have been occupied by P. filicauda. It is concluded that P.filicauda is at an early non-interactive phase and that Abbreviata and Skrjabinoptera are at an evolutionary phase, and are evolving along with their hosts. Thus, the two principal nematode groups arose at different times in response to the radiation and ecology of their hosts, and are at different stages in their own evolution.

Assessment of the importance of individual plant-parasitic nematode species in a community dominated by Heterodera sacchari on upland rice in Côte d'Ivoire

Nematology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 661-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Plowright ◽  
Daniel Coyne
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Damage Potential ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Plant Parasitic

AbstractIn temperate climates, densities of plant-parasitic nematodes at or shortly before sowing are a useful predictor of their damage potential. Re-examination of data from nematode communities on upland rice in Côte d'Ivoire showed that interpretation of nematode pest potentials and the damage caused by either individual species, or by the community as a whole, is less simple. The numerical proportion of individual nematode species within a plant-parasitic nematode community, comprising Heterodera sacchari, Pratylenchus zeae , Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Mesocriconema tescorum and Xiphinema spp., changed with duration of the cropping cycle. The relative importance to the crop of the different species changed with time, and with development of the community structure over the course of the season. Analysis suggested that for H.sacchari, the mid-season population densities were most highly correlated with crop damage (yield loss) and therefore its damage potential for that particular season. The pest potential of other known rice pest species, such as M. incognita and P.zeae, was likely indicated earlier in the season, but the population increase of other nematode species in the community, particularly H. sacchari, compounded the interpretation of the data for other species. The use of single linear regression to assess the importance of individual nematode species conflicted with results of analyses using multiple stepwise regression, while use of cluster analysis permitted the identification of species groups at early and late stages in the cropping season.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Turfgrasses in North Carolina and South Carolina, United States

Plant Disease ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  
pp. 982-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsan Zeng ◽  
Weimin Ye ◽  
James Kerns ◽  
Lane Tredway ◽  
Samuel Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic

The near-full-length 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 region were amplified and sequenced from 52 nematode populations belonging to 28 representative species in 13 families recovered from turfgrasses in North Carolina (38 populations) and South Carolina (14 populations). This study also included 13 nematode populations from eight other plant hosts from North Carolina for comparison. Nematodes were molecularly characterized and the phylogenetic relationships were explored based on 18S rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference was performed using five groups of the plant-parasitic nematode populations Tylenchids, Criconematids, Longidorids, Xiphinematids, and Trichodorids. The 65 nematode populations were clustered correspondingly within appropriate positions of 13 families, including Belonolaimidae, Caloosiidae, Criconematidae, Dolichodoridae, Hemicycliophoridae, Hoplolaimidae, Heteroderidae, Longidoridae, Meloidogynidae, Paratylenchidae, Pratylenchidae, Telotylenchidae, and Trichodoridae. This study confirms previous morphological-based identification of the plant-parasitic nematode species found in turfgrasses and provides a framework for future studies of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with turfgrasses based upon DNA sequences and phylogenetic relationships.

The use of Caenorhabditis elegans in parasitic nematode research

Parasitology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (S1) ◽  
pp. S49-S70 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. GILLEARD
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Free Living ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Free Living Nematode

There is increasing interest in the use of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a tool for parasitic nematode research and there are now a number of compelling examples of its successful application. C. elegans has the potential to become a standard tool for molecular helminthology researchers, just as yeast is routinely used by molecular biologists to study vertebrate biology. However, in order to exploit C. elegans in a meaningful manner, we need a detailed understanding of the extent to which different aspects of C. elegans biology have been conserved with particular groups of parasitic nematodes. This review first considers the current state of knowledge regarding the conservation of genome organisation across the nematode phylum and then discusses some recent evolutionary development studies in free-living nematodes. The aim is to provide some important concepts that are relevant to the extrapolation of information from C. elegans to parasitic nematodes and also to the interpretation of experiments that use C. elegans as a surrogate expression system. In general, examples have been specifically chosen because they highlight the importance of careful experimentation and interpretation of data. Consequently, the focus is on the differences that have been found between nematode species rather than the similarities. Finally, there is a detailed discussion of the current status of C. elegans as a heterologous expression system to study parasite gene function and regulation using successful examples from the literature.

scholarly journals Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Thyme Oil to Suppress Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on English Boxwood

Plant Disease ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique E. Pérez ◽  
Edwin E. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽  
Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematode ◽  
Nematode Population ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Thyme Oil ◽  
Plant Parasitic

A 2-year experiment was conducted to test suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes on English boxwood using entomopathogenic nematodes and 3.5% thyme oil formulated as Promax. Treatments were Steinernema riobrave formulated as BioVector and S. feltiae formulated as Nemasys, both applied at a rate of 2.5 billion infective juveniles/ha, thyme oil at rate of 9.3 liters/ha, and nontreated control. In the 2001 season, treatment with S. feltiae reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of Tylenchorhynchus sp. 7 days after treatment and Hoplolaimus sp. 30 and 60 days after treatment. Treatment with S. riobrave reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of all plant-parasitic nematode species at all sampling dates, with the exception of Mesocriconema sp. 30 days after treatment and Tylenchorhynchus sp. and Rotylenchus buxophilus 60 days after treatment. Treatment with thyme oil reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of all plant-parasitic nematode genera at all sampling dates except Tylenchorhynchus sp. and R. buxophilus 60 days after treatment. In the 2002 season, treatment with S. feltiae had no effect on nematode population growth. Treatment with S. riobrave reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth of R. buxophilus 7 days after treatment, and all plant-parasitic nematodes 30 and 60 days after treatment except Hoplolaimus sp. 30 days after treatment and Mesocriconema sp. 60 days after treatment. Treatment with thyme oil reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the population growth at all sampling dates of plant-parasitic nematodes except Mesocriconema sp. 60 days after treatment.

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