1
|
Miljević M, Čabrilo B, Budinski I, Rajičić M, Bajić B, Bjelić-Čabrilo O, Blagojević J. Host–Parasite Relationship—Nematode Communities in Populations of Small Mammals. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192617. [PMID: 36230358 PMCID: PMC9559639 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematode burdens and variation in morphological characteristics were assessed in eighty-eight animals from three host species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, and Myodes glareolus) from eight localities in Serbia. In total, 15 species of nematodes were identified, and the overall mean parasite species richness (IndPSR) was 1.61 per animal (1.98 in A. flavicollis, 1.43 in M. glareolus, and 0.83 in A. sylvaticus). Furthermore, the studied host species significantly differed in individual parasite load (IndPL) and in the following morphological characters: spleen mass, body condition index (BCI), and body mass. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the burden of intestinal nematodes, on one hand, and the body conditions of the host and its capability to develop immune defends on the other. Spleen mass was considered as a measure of immune response. In all host species, larger animals with a better condition (higher BCI) were infected with more parasites species (IndPSR), while parasite load was not related to BCI. Only in A. flavicollis were males significantly larger, but females of the same sizes were infected with more parasite species. This female-biased parasitism is contrary to the theoretical expectation that males should be more parasitized, being larger, more active, with a wider home range. Although the spleen size was significantly correlated with body condition and body mass, IndPSR was not related to spleen mass in any studied species, but in M. galareolus, we found that a smaller spleen was related to higher infection intensity (IndPL).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milan Miljević
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Borislav Čabrilo
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivana Budinski
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Rajičić
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Bajić
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Bjelić-Čabrilo
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Blagojević
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-112-078-331
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fantozzi MC, Sanchez JP, Lareschi M, Beldomenico PM. Effects of host factors on the dynamics of fleas (Siphonaptera) in Sigmodontinae rodents (Cricetidae) from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106177. [PMID: 34627759 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the patterns of flea infestation in wild populations of eight Sigmodontinae rodent species: Akodon azarae, Calomys callidus, Calomys venustus, Holochilus chacarius, Necromys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Oxymycterus rufus. Rodents were captured in systematic trapping sessions carried out along 2 years at two localities from El Espinal Ecoregion, Argentina. Mean flea intensity, occurrence (presence/absence) of flea infestation, richness and diversity were compared for different ages, body condition, sex and rodent tribes (Akodontini, Oryzomyini and Phyllotini). A total of 376 fleas of the following species and subspecies were collected: Craneopsylla minerva wolffhuegeli, Polygenis (Neopolygenis) pradoi, Polygenis (Polygenis) axius axius, and Polygenis (Polygenis) byturus. The most important factor driving flea infestation was the rodent tribe, with Phyllotini showing the highest values of occurrence, abundance and species richness. Only C. m. wolffhuegeli was affected by the sex of the host. Age and body condition of the hosts did not affect flea infestation. Our results contribute to knowledge of the ecology of fleas on rodent hosts in El Espinal Ecoregion. The relevance of host taxonomy as driver of flea dynamics highlight the importance of considering host community structures at the time of studying the ecology of parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Cecilia Fantozzi
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET LITORAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral- CONICET, Argentina.
| | - Juliana P Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires-CITNOBA (CONICET-UNNOBA), Ruta Provincial 32Km3,5, 2700 Pergamino, Argentina.
| | - Marcela Lareschi
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores, CEPAVE (CCT CONICET La Plata-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/ 60 y 61, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Pablo M Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET LITORAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral- CONICET, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Krasnov BR, Spickett A, Junker K, van der Mescht L, Matthee S. Functional and phylogenetic uniqueness of helminth and flea assemblages of two South African rodents. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:865-876. [PMID: 33848500 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The loss of a particular species from a community may have different effects on its functioning, depending on the presence or absence of functionally similar or phylogenetically close species in that community (redundancy). Redundancy is thus defined as the fraction of species diversity not expressed by functional or phylogenetic diversity. We assessed functional and phylogenetic alpha- and beta-redundancy in helminth and flea assemblages of two species of South African rodents, Rhabdomys dilectus and Rhabdomys pumilio, using community uniqueness as the inverse indicator of redundancy. We asked whether patterns of functional and phylogenetic alpha- and beta-uniqueness differed between (i) parasite groups (endo- versus ectoparasites), (ii) host species within parasite groups, and (iii) biomes within host species. We found differences between the two hosts in the functional and phylogenetic alpha-uniqueness (but not beta-uniqueness) of flea, but not helminth, assemblages. Significant correlations between the alpha-uniqueness of parasite assemblages and the total parasite prevalence were found only for phylogenetic uniqueness and only in helminths. Pairwise site-by-site dissimilarities in uniqueness (beta-uniqueness) and pairwise dissimilarity in prevalence were significantly associated (positively) in helminths but not in fleas. A between-biome difference in functional (but not phylogenetic) alpha-uniqueness was found in both helminth and flea assemblages harboured by R. pumilio. We conclude that the resilience of parasite assemblages in terms of the effect on hosts depends not only on their transmission strategy but also on traits of host species and environmental factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute of Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
| | - Andrea Spickett
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Junker
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Luther van der Mescht
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Medvedev SG, Sedikhin NV, Krasnov BR. Intraspecific variation of body size in fleas: effects of host sex and flea phenology. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3211-3220. [PMID: 32888066 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06867-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of host sex and flea phenology (estimated as periods of high versus low abundance) on individual body size in four fleas of small mammals. Amalaraeus penicilliger and Ctenophthalmus uncinatus are ectoparasites of the bank vole Myodes glareolus, whereas Doratopsylla dasycnema and Palaeopsylla soricis are ectoparasites of the common shrew Sorex araneus. We found significant effects of host sex and phenology on the body size of all flea species, although there was no general trend in the directions of these effects. Larger A. penicilliger were found on female hosts, whereas larger P. soricis were found on male hosts. In the remaining species, larger fleas were collected from male hosts during periods of high abundance (male C. uncinatus and female D. dasycnema) and from female hosts during periods of low abundance (male C. uncinatus). Regarding phenology, larger fleas were recorded during periods of either high (A. penicilliger, C. uncinatus, D. dasycnema) or low (C. uncinatus, P. soricis) abundance, but this depended on flea and/or host sex. We conclude that the directions of the host sex and phenology effects varied between flea species. Furthermore, the direction of the host sex effect was mediated by the effect of phenology and vice versa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei G Medvedev
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolai V Sedikhin
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Sede Boqer Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
khosravani M. The fauna and perspective of rodentia ectoparasites in Iran relying on their roles within public health and veterinary characteristics. J Parasit Dis 2018; 42:1-18. [PMID: 29491552 PMCID: PMC5825361 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-017-0959-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, rodents-ectoparasites are responsible for many diseases in human and domestic animal communities because they are well-adapted to the environment and nutritional resources. In addition, ectoparasites can affect the reproductive rates, ecological fitness and the dispersal pattern of their hosts. Data was compiled through all publications relating to ectoparasites fauna from Iranian rodents. Host specificity, rodent-parasites interaction, geographical distribution, ecological trends as well as the medical or veterinary importance of ectoparasites are considered in this review. Also, results compared with other equal global findings. According to the obtained information, the genus Hyalomma considered being the major vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Sistan-Balouchistan, Isfahan, Fars and Khuzestan are endemic provinces of this disease in Iran. Ixodes ticks (especially Hyalomma spp.) commonly existed throughout the months but had high activity in spring and late autumn seasons. Muridae as the most diversified rodent family was more reiterated exploited host by all parasites in this knowledge. Tatera indica confirmed as a positive host for Francisella tularensis by serological test but the definitive reservoir is still unclear in Iran. Meriones persicus as a nocturnal jird has been permanently presented in semi-desert areas except Dasht-e Kavir desert. This rodent was the frequent host for Pulicid fleas followed by Mus musculus and Cricetulus migratorius (Cricetidae). Rattus norvegicus was specialized host for Polyplax spinulosa (spiny rat louse). Pulex irritans from Pulicidae was spread in particularly west of Iran which known as an endemic focus of plague. Mites were high diversity than other taxa. The domestic vertebrates (sheep, goat and cattle) were primitive hosts and rodents were discovered as auxiliary hosts for ticks in Iran apparently. The available data suggested that lice had a type of model of host specificity due to their morphological traits. Meanwhile, Alborz and Zagros mountains ranges provided the specialized habitats for animals which have been surrounded by northern and western regions. Perhaps these mountainous areas can prevent gene flow between local mammalian populations. Notably, the genealogy of parasite genome can orient toward the evolutionary process into speciation point. In general, more researches are needed to decipher the whole sights of host-parasite association and the role of ectoparasites within zoonosis diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mousa khosravani
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 71645-111, Shiraz, Fars Province Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ectoparasites of small-mammals: determinants of community structure in South American savannah. Parasitology 2016; 144:475-483. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThis study aimed to assess the contribution of hosts characteristics (rodents and marsupials) in the organization of ectoparasite communities present in woodland patches in western central Brazil. We verified the effect of host species, sex, body mass and vertical strata in addition to the role of seasonality on the ectoparasite composition, richness and abundance. The total sampling effort was 22 032 trap-nights equally distributed in 54 woodland patches. Variance partition and principal coordinate analysis were used to verify the existence of significant relationships between response variables and predictors. As expected, host species was the most important variable in ectoparasite community assembly. The composition, richness and abundance of mites and lice were highly influenced by host species, although higher for mites than for lice. Host body mass had a determining role on the richness and abundance of tick species. Vertical stratification and seasonality had weak influence, while the sex of the host had no influence on the organization of these communities. The results are closely related to the evolutionary characteristics of the species involved, as well as with local environmental characteristics of the study area.
Collapse
|
7
|
Peng PY, Guo XG, Song WY, Hou P, Zou YJ, Fan R, He XS. Analysis of ectoparasites (chigger mites, gamasid mites, fleas and sucking lice) of the Yunnan red-backed vole (Eothenomys miletus) sampled throughout its range in southwest China. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 29:403-415. [PMID: 26345365 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Yunnan red-backed vole Eothenomys miletus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) is an endemic rodent species and reservoir host of zoonoses in southwest China. Based on a large host sample (2463 voles collected from 39 localities between 2001 and 2013), a general analysis of four categories of ectoparasite (fleas, sucking lice, chigger mites and gamasid mites) on E. miletus across its entire range of distribution was made. This analysis identified a total of 71 895 ectoparasites belonging to 320 species (30 species of flea, 9 of sucking louse, 106 of gamasid mite and 175 of chigger mite) with a high prevalence (87%), mean abundance (29.19) and mean intensity (33.69). Of the 18 vector species of zoonoses found on E. miletus, the flea Ctenophthalmus quadratus (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) and chigger mite Leptotrombidium scutellare (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) were the dominant species; these are the main vectors of zoonoses in China. All of the dominant parasite species showed an aggregated distribution pattern. Male voles harboured more species of parasite than females. Chigger mites represented the most abundant species group on voles and their prevalence was positively correlated with mean abundance (r = 0.73; P < 0.05). As a single rodent species, E. miletus has a high potential to harbour abundant ectoparasites with high species diversity and high rates of infestation. The sex of the vole affects ectoparasite infestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P-Y Peng
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - X-G Guo
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - W-Y Song
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - P Hou
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - Y-J Zou
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - R Fan
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - X-S He
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Dali University (Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention), Dali, Yunnan, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Landulfo GA, Jacinavicius FC, Barros-Battesti DM, Cáceres NC. Interaction of ectoparasites (Mesostigmata, Phthiraptera and Siphonaptera) with small mammals in Cerrado fragments, western Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:369-381. [PMID: 25912954 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We describe ectoparasite fauna associated with small mammals in fragments of Cerrado biome, central-western Brazil. We analyzed the level of associations and the aggregation patterns according to seasonal and host variations. Small mammals were systematically captured in 54 woodland fragments from February 2012 to July 2013. A total of 1040 animals belonging to eight marsupial and 12 rodent species were sampled; 354 individuals were parasitized by 33 ectoparasite species (twenty five Mesostigmata, seven Phthiraptera and one Siphonaptera). A total of 49 ecological relationships between ectoparasites and small mammals were observed, 24 being new association records. The overall specialization index of all ectoparasites and host species was 0.91 with significant deviation from a random host-parasite association, suggesting a high host-parasite specialization in this system. Specialization indices for ectoparasites ranged from moderate to high, while among host was high, for most species. Contrary to the overall pattern, some ectoparasites had higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation in the dry season. Overall, ectoparasite prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were not significantly associated with host gender. This study provides significant information about the ectoparasites ecology in relation to specificity, seasonality and hosts gender, contributing to the understanding of host-parasite relationships in Brazilian savannah.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Sponchiado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000, Santa Maria, RS, 97110-970, Brazil,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Umbers KDL, Byatt LJ, Hill NJ, Bartolini RJ, Hose GC, Herberstein ME, Power ML. Prevalence and Molecular Identification of Nematode and Dipteran Parasites in an Australian Alpine Grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121685. [PMID: 25919745 PMCID: PMC4412563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In alpine Australia, Orthoptera are abundant, dominant herbivores, important prey species, and hosts for parasites and parasitoids. Despite the central role of orthopterans in alpine ecosystems, the impact of parasites on orthopteran populations is under-explored. In this study we describe the relationship between parasite prevalence and host sex, body size and year of collection. We accessed an existing, preserved collection of 640 Kosciuscola tristis collected from across its range between 2007 and 2011. Upon dissection we collected juvenile parasites and used molecular tools to identify them to three families (Nematoda; Mermithidae, and Arthropoda: Diptera: Tachinidae and Sarcophagidae). The prevalence of nematodes ranged from 3.5% to 25.0% and dipterans from 2.4% to 20.0%. Contrary to predictions, we found no associations between parasite prevalence and grasshopper sex or size. Although there was an association between prevalence of both nematodes and dipterans with year of collection, this is likely driven by a small sample size in the first year. Our results provide a foundation for future studies into parasite prevalence within the alpine environment and the abiotic factors that might influence these associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate D. L. Umbers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lachlan J. Byatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nichola J. Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Remo J. Bartolini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Grant C. Hose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marie E. Herberstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle L Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Frye MJ, Firth C, Bhat M, Firth MA, Che X, Lee D, Williams SH, Lipkin WI. Preliminary Survey of Ectoparasites and Associated Pathogens from Norway Rats in New York City. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 52:253-9. [PMID: 26336309 PMCID: PMC4481720 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is a reservoir of many zoonotic pathogens and lives in close proximity to humans in urban environments. Human infection with rodent-borne disease occurs either directly through contact with a rat or its excreta, or indirectly via arthropod vectors such as fleas and ticks. Here, we report on the diversity and abundance of ectoparasitic arthropod species and associated pathogenic bacteria from 133 Norway rats trapped over a 10-mo period in Manhattan, New York, NY. Norway rats were host to the tropical rat mite [Ornithonyssus bacoti (Hirst)], the spiny rat mite (Laelaps echidnina Berlese), Laelaps nuttalli Hirst, the spined rat louse [Polyplax spinulosa (Burmeister)], and the Oriental rat flea [(Xenopsylla cheopis) (Rothschild)], with an average of 1.7 species per individual. A flea index of 4.1 X. cheopis was determined, whereas previous studies in New York City reported 0.22 fleas per rat. Multiple species of pathogenic Bartonella were identified from Oriental rat fleas that were related to Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rochalimae, and Bartonella elizabethae. However, no evidence of Yersinia pestis or Rickettsia spp. infection was detected in fleas. The identification of multiple medically important ectoparasite species in New York City underscores the need for future efforts to fully characterize the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites on Norway rats, and assess the risk to humans of vector-borne disease transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Frye
- New York State IPM Program, 630W. North St., Geneva, NY 14456
| | - C Firth
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032 Current affiliation: CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Bhat
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032 Current affiliation: The Nature Conservancy, North America Region, New York, NY
| | - M A Firth
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065 Current affiliation: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1 G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - X Che
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032
| | - D Lee
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032
| | - S H Williams
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032
| | - W I Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kowalski K, Bogdziewicz M, Eichert U, Rychlik L. Sex differences in flea infections among rodent hosts: is there a male bias? Parasitol Res 2015; 114:337-41. [PMID: 25410932 PMCID: PMC4281372 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4231-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recognizing patterns of parasite distribution among wildlife hosts is of major importance due to growing risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. Thus, sex-dependent parasite distribution in higher vertebrates is extensively studied, and males are often found more parasitized than females. Male-biased parasitism may be the result of weaker immunocompetence of male hosts owing to the immunosuppressive effect of androgens. Moreover, larger hosts (males) may demonstrate higher parasite infestation levels than smaller individuals (females), as they constitute a better nutritional resource for parasites and provide them with a greater variety of niches. In the present work, we investigated sex-dependent patterns of flea distribution among three common rodent species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, and Myodes glareolus). We hypothesized that males have a higher flea infestation than females. We confirm male-biased parasitism in A. agrarius and M. glareolus, but not in A. flavicollis. Additionally, flea infestation increased with body mass in A. agrarius, but not in A. flavicollis and M. glareolus. The detected differences in parasite distribution among sexes are probably the result of immunosuppressive effects of androgens and spatial behavior of males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland,
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dlugosz EM, Downs CJ, Khokhlova IS, Degen AA, Krasnov BR. Ectoparasite performance when feeding on reproducing mammalian females: an unexpected decrease when on pregnant hosts. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:1058-64. [PMID: 24311805 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.098376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is an energy-demanding activity in mammalian females, with increased energy requirements during pregnancy and, especially, during lactation. To better understand the interactions between parasitism and host reproduction, we investigated feeding and reproductive performance of fleas (Xenopsylla ramesis) parasitizing non-reproducing, pregnant or lactating gerbilline rodents (Meriones crassus). Based on energetic considerations, we predicted that feeding and reproductive performance of fleas would be lowest on non-breeding females, moderate on pregnant females and highest on lactating females. We estimated feeding performance of the fleas via absolute and mass-specific bloodmeal size and reproductive performance via egg production and latency to peak oviposition. Host reproductive status had no effect on either absolute or mass-specific bloodmeal size or the day of peak oviposition, but significantly affected the daily number of eggs produced by a female flea. Surprisingly, and contrary to our predictions, egg production of fleas fed on pregnant rodents was significantly lower than that of fleas on non-reproducing and lactating rodents, while no difference in egg production between fleas feeding on non-reproducing and lactating hosts was found. Our results suggest that differences in parasite reproduction when feeding on hosts of different reproductive status are not associated with the different energy requirements of the hosts at non-breeding, pregnancy and lactation but rather with variation in hormonal and/or immune status during these periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Dlugosz
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dallas T, Foré S. Chemical attraction of Dermacentor variabilis ticks parasitic to Peromyscus leucopus based on host body mass and sex. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2013; 61:243-250. [PMID: 23543274 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9690-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Macroparasites are commonly aggregated on a small subset of a host population. Previous explanations for this aggregation relate to differences in immunocompetence or the degree to which hosts encounter parasites. We propose active tick host choice through chemical attraction as a potential mechanism leading to aggregated tick burdens. We test this hypothesis using a Y-maze olfactometer, comparing chemical attraction responses of larval and nymphal Dermacentor variabilis ticks parasitic to the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, as a function of host sex and host body mass. We hypothesized that larger hosts and male hosts would be most attractive to searching ticks, as these hosts commonly have higher tick burdens in the field. Chemical attraction trials were run in the presence and absence of a known tick attractant, host-produced carbon dioxide (CO2). Male hosts and larger hosts were preferred by nymphal D. variabilis in the presence and absence of CO2, whereas larvae had no detectable host preference. The current study suggests that host-produced chemical cues may promote aggregated tick burdens among hosts of a single species based on host body mass and sex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tad Dallas
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lousy mums: patterns of vertical transmission of an amphibious louse. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:3315-23. [PMID: 23828192 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we document patterns of vertical transmission of the amphibious louse Antarctophthirus microchir (Echinophthiriidae) in pups of South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, from Patagonia. Vertical transmission is fundamental for the long-term stability of A. microchir populations because only pups stay long enough (1 month) on land for the louse to reproduce. A total of 72 pups ≤7 days old from a single rookery were captured and examined for lice. Infection parameters and population structure of A. microchir did not differ among pups collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the reproductive season, suggesting that patterns of early vertical transmission are not affected by the increase of rookery size during this period. Over 60% of 1-day-old pups were infected with A. microchir, and recruitment increased in pups up to 3 days old and then leveled off. In 1-day-old pups, significantly more adults than nymphs were found, but the pattern was reversed in older pups. The number of first-stage nymphs was significantly smaller than that of second- and third-stage nymphs, as it was the number of males vs. females, particularly in 1-day-old pups. Three non-exclusive hypotheses could account for these patterns, i.e., recruitment merely reflects the population structure of A. microchir is cows; the relative ability of lice to pass from cows onto pups increases in advanced instars; and/or natural selection favors transmission of adults, especially females, because they accrue greater fitness. The importance of latter hypothesis should not be underestimated in a species with a tight reproductive schedule.
Collapse
|
15
|
Krasnov BR, Bordes F, Khokhlova IS, Morand S. Gender-biased parasitism in small mammals: patterns, mechanisms, consequences. MAMMALIA 2012. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2011-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
16
|
Sarasa M, Pérez JM, Alasaad S, Serrano E, Soriguer RC, Granados JE, Fandos P, Joachim J, Gonzalez G. Neatness depends on season, age, and sex in Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|