1
|
Nattoh G, Onyango B, Makhulu EE, Omoke D, Ang’ang’o LM, Kamau L, Gesuge MM, Ochomo E, Herren JK. Microsporidia MB in the primary malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto is avirulent and undergoes maternal and horizontal transmission. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:335. [PMID: 37749577 PMCID: PMC10519057 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05933-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The demonstration that the recently discovered Anopheles symbiont Microsporidia MB blocks malaria transmission in Anopheles arabiensis and undergoes vertical and horizontal transmission suggests that it is a promising candidate for the development of a symbiont-based malaria transmission-blocking strategy. The infection prevalence and characteristics of Microsporidia MB in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.), another primary vector species of malaria in Kenya, were investigated. METHODS Field-collected females were confirmed to be Microsporidia MB-positive after oviposition. Egg counts of Microsporidia MB-infected and non-infected individuals were used to infer the effects of Microsporidia MB on fecundity. The time to pupation, adult sex ratio and survival were used to determine if Microsporidia MB infection has similar characteristics in the host mosquitoes An. gambiae and An. arabiensis. The intensity of Microsporidia MB infection in tissues of the midgut and gonads, and in carcasses, was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To investigate horizontal transmission, virgin males and females that were either Microsporidia MB-infected or non-infected were placed in standard cages for 48 h and allowed to mate; transmission was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting Microsporidia MB genes. RESULTS Microsporidia MB was found to naturally occur at a low prevalence in An. gambiae s.s. collected in western Kenya. Microsporidia MB shortened the development time from larva to pupa, but other fitness parameters such as fecundity, sex ratio, and adult survival did not differ between Microsporidia MB-infected and non-infected hosts. Microsporidia MB intensities were high in the male gonadal tissues. Transmission experiments indicated that Microsporidia MB undergoes both maternal and horizontal transmission in An. gambiae s.s. CONCLUSIONS The findings that Microsporidia MB naturally infects, undergoes maternal and horizontal transmission, and is avirulent in An. gambiae s.s. indicate that many of the characteristics of its infection in An. arabiensis hold true for the former. The results of the present study indicate that Microsporidia MB could be developed as a tool for the transmission-blocking of malaria across different Anopheles species.
Collapse
Grants
- I-1-F-5852-1 The International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden
- Open Philanthropy (SYMBIOVECTOR Track A) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV0225840) International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- SMBV-FFT The Childrens' Investment Fund Foundation
- AV/AASS/006 The ANTi-VeC network
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Open Philanthropy (SYMBIOVECTOR Track A) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (INV0225840)
- The Childrens’ Investment Fund Foundation
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Nattoh
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kaimosi Friends University, Kaimosi, Kenya
| | - Brenda Onyango
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Diana Omoke
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Lilian Mbaisi Ang’ang’o
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Luna Kamau
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maxwell Machani Gesuge
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric Ochomo
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jeremy Keith Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bacela-Spychalska K, Wattier R, Teixeira M, Cordaux R, Quiles A, Grabowski M, Wroblewski P, Ovcharenko M, Grabner D, Weber D, Weigand AM, Rigaud T. Widespread infection, diversification and old host associations of Nosema Microsporidia in European freshwater gammarids (Amphipoda). PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011560. [PMID: 37603557 PMCID: PMC10470943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian genus Nosema is primarily known to infect insects of economic importance stimulating high research interest, while other hosts remain understudied. Nosema granulosis is one of the formally described Nosema species infecting amphipod crustaceans, being known to infect only two host species. Our first aim was to characterize Nosema spp. infections in different amphipod species from various European localities using the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU) marker. Second, we aimed to assess the phylogenetic diversity, host specificity and to explore the evolutionary history that may explain the diversity of gammarid-infecting Nosema lineages by performing a phylogenetic reconstruction based on RNA polymerase II subunit B1 (RPB1) gene sequences. For the host species Gammarus balcanicus, we also analyzed whether parasites were in excess in females to test for sex ratio distortion in relation with Nosema infection. We identified Nosema spp. in 316 individuals from nine amphipod species being widespread in Europe. The RPB1-based phylogenetic reconstruction using newly reported sequences and available data from other invertebrates identified 39 haplogroups being associated with amphipods. These haplogroups clustered into five clades (A-E) that did not form a single amphipod-infecting monophyletic group. Closely related sister clades C and D correspond to Nosema granulosis. Clades A, B and E might represent unknown Nosema species infecting amphipods. Host specificity seemed to be variable with some clades being restricted to single hosts, and some that could be found in several host species. We show that Nosema parasite richness in gammarid hosts is much higher than expected, illustrating the advantage of the use of RPB1 marker over SSU. Finally, we found no hint of sex ratio distortion in Nosema clade A infecting G. balcanicus. This study shows that Nosema spp. are abundant, widespread and diverse in European gammarids. Thus, Nosema is as diverse in aquatic as in terrestrial hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Remi Wattier
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Maria Teixeira
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Richard Cordaux
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose, UMR CNRS 7267, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Adrien Quiles
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Michal Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Wroblewski
- Department of Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism, Witold Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mykola Ovcharenko
- Department of Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism, Witold Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, Slupsk, Poland
| | - Daniel Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dieter Weber
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut Müncheberg, Germany
- Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | - Thierry Rigaud
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Urrutia A, Mitsi K, Foster R, Ross S, Carr M, Ward GM, van Aerle R, Marigomez I, Leger MM, Ruiz-Trillo I, Feist SW, Bass D. Txikispora philomaios n. sp., n. g., a Micro-Eukaryotic Pathogen of Amphipods, Reveals Parasitism and Hidden Diversity in Class Filasterea. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 69:e12875. [PMID: 34726818 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study provides a morphological, ultrastructural, and phylogenetic characterization of a novel micro-eukaryotic parasite (2.3-2.6 µm) infecting amphipod genera Echinogammarus and Orchestia. Longitudinal studies across two years revealed that infection prevalence peaked in late April and May, reaching 64% in Echinogammarus sp. and 15% in Orchestia sp., but was seldom detected during the rest of the year. The parasite infected predominantly haemolymph, connective tissue, tegument, and gonad, although hepatopancreas and nervous tissue were affected in heavier infections, eliciting melanization and granuloma formation. Cell division occurred inside walled parasitic cysts, often within host haemocytes, resulting in haemolymph congestion. Small subunit (18S) rRNA gene phylogenies including related environmental sequences placed the novel parasite as a highly divergent lineage within Class Filasterea, which together with Choanoflagellatea represent the closest protistan relatives of Metazoa. We describe the new parasite as Txikispora philomaios n. sp. n. g., the first confirmed parasitic filasterean lineage, which otherwise comprises four free-living flagellates and a rarely observed endosymbiont of snails. Lineage-specific PCR probing of other hosts and surrounding environments only detected T. philomaios in the platyhelminth Procerodes sp. We expand the known diversity of Filasterea by targeted searches of metagenomic datasets, resulting in 13 previously unknown lineages from environmental samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ander Urrutia
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK.,Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology Research Group, Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology), Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PiE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Pasealekua z/g, Plentzia, 48620, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Konstantina Mitsi
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, 08003, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rachel Foster
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Stuart Ross
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Martin Carr
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Georgia M Ward
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Ronny van Aerle
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Ionan Marigomez
- Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology Research Group, Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology), Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PiE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Areatza Pasealekua z/g, Plentzia, 48620, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Michelle M Leger
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, 08003, Catalonia, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Centre for Comparative Genomics and evolutionary Bioinformatics, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, 08003, Catalonia, Spain.,Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, 08028, Catalonia, Spain.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Stephen W Feist
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - David Bass
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nattoh G, Maina T, Makhulu EE, Mbaisi L, Mararo E, Otieno FG, Bukhari T, Onchuru TO, Teal E, Paredes J, Bargul JL, Mburu DM, Onyango EA, Magoma G, Sinkins SP, Herren JK. Horizontal Transmission of the Symbiont Microsporidia MB in Anopheles arabiensis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:647183. [PMID: 34394019 PMCID: PMC8355901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.647183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered Anopheles symbiont, Microsporidia MB, has a strong malaria transmission-blocking phenotype in Anopheles arabiensis, the predominant Anopheles gambiae species complex member in many active transmission areas in eastern Africa. The ability of Microsporidia MB to block Plasmodium transmission together with vertical transmission and avirulence makes it a candidate for the development of a symbiont-based malaria transmission blocking strategy. We investigate the characteristics and efficiencies of Microsporidia MB transmission between An. arabiensis mosquitoes. We show that Microsporidia MB is not transmitted between larvae but is effectively transmitted horizontally between adult mosquitoes. Notably, Microsporidia MB was only found to be transmitted between male and female An. arabiensis, suggesting sexual horizontal transmission. In addition, Microsporidia MB cells were observed infecting the An. arabiensis ejaculatory duct. Female An. arabiensis that acquire Microsporidia MB horizontally are able to transmit the symbiont vertically to their offspring. We also investigate the possibility that Microsporidia MB can infect alternate hosts that live in the same habitats as their An. arabiensis hosts, but find no other non-anopheline hosts. Notably, Microsporidia MB infections were found in another primary malaria African vector, Anopheles funestus s.s. The finding that Microsporidia MB can be transmitted horizontally is relevant for the development of dissemination strategies to control malaria that are based on the targeted release of Microsporidia MB infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Nattoh
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tracy Maina
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward E Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lilian Mbaisi
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Enock Mararo
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Fidel G Otieno
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tullu Bukhari
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Thomas O Onchuru
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Bomet University College, Bomet, Kenya
| | - Evan Teal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Juan Paredes
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joel L Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David M Mburu
- Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre (PUBReC), Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Gabriel Magoma
- Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovation, Pan African University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Steven P Sinkins
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Quiles A, Wattier RA, Bacela-Spychalska K, Grabowski M, Rigaud T. Dictyocoela microsporidia diversity and co-diversification with their host, a gammarid species complex (Crustacea, Amphipoda) with an old history of divergence and high endemic diversity. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:149. [PMID: 33176694 PMCID: PMC7659068 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01719-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the processes of co-evolution between parasites and their hosts are well known, evidence of co-speciation remains scarce. Microsporidian intracellular parasites, due to intimate relationships with their hosts and mixed mode of transmission (horizontal but also vertical, from mother to offspring), may represent an interesting biological model for investigating co-speciation. Amphipod crustaceans, especially gammarids, are regular hosts of microsporidian parasites, in particular the Dictyocoela spp., which have so far been found limited to these amphipods and are known to use a vertical mode of transmission. The amphipod genus Gammarus has a diversification history spanning the last 50-60 Mya and an extensive cryptic diversity in most of the nominal species. Here, we investigated the degree of co-diversification between Dictyocoela and Gammarus balcanicus, an amphipod with high degrees of ancient cryptic diversification and lineage endemism, by examining the genetic diversity of these parasites over the entire geographic range of the host. We hypothesised that the strong host diversification and vertical transmission of Dictyocoela would promote co-diversification. RESULTS Using the parasite SSU rDNA as a molecular marker, analyzing 2225 host specimens from 88 sites covering whole host range, we found 31 haplogroups of Dictyocoela, 30 of which were novel, belonging to four Dictyocoela species already known to infect other Gammarus spp. The relationships between Dictyocoela and gammarids is therefore ancient, with the speciation in parasites preceding those of the hosts. Each novel haplogroup was nevertheless specific to G. balcanicus, leaving the possibility for subsequent co-diversification process during host diversification. A Procrustean Approach to Co-phylogeny (PACo) analysis revealed that diversification of Dictyocoela was not random with respect to that of the host. We found high degrees of congruence between the diversification of G. balcanicus and that of Dictyocoela roeselum and D. muelleri. However, we also found some incongruences between host and Dictyocoela phylogenies, e.g. in D. duebenum, probably due to host shifts between different G. balcanicus cryptic lineages. CONCLUSION The evolutionary history of Dictyocoela and Gammarus balcanicus represents an example of an overall host-parasite co-diversification, including cases of host shifts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Quiles
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Rémi A Wattier
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Michal Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Thierry Rigaud
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Herren JK, Mbaisi L, Mararo E, Makhulu EE, Mobegi VA, Butungi H, Mancini MV, Oundo JW, Teal ET, Pinaud S, Lawniczak MKN, Jabara J, Nattoh G, Sinkins SP. A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2187. [PMID: 32366903 PMCID: PMC7198529 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A possible malaria control approach involves the dissemination in mosquitoes of inherited symbiotic microbes to block Plasmodium transmission. However, in the Anopheles gambiae complex, the primary African vectors of malaria, there are limited reports of inherited symbionts that impair transmission. We show that a vertically transmitted microsporidian symbiont (Microsporidia MB) in the An. gambiae complex can impair Plasmodium transmission. Microsporidia MB is present at moderate prevalence in geographically dispersed populations of An. arabiensis in Kenya, localized to the mosquito midgut and ovaries, and is not associated with significant reductions in adult host fecundity or survival. Field-collected Microsporidia MB infected An. arabiensis tested negative for P. falciparum gametocytes and, on experimental infection with P. falciparum, sporozoites aren't detected in Microsporidia MB infected mosquitoes. As a microbe that impairs Plasmodium transmission that is non-virulent and vertically transmitted, Microsporidia MB could be investigated as a strategy to limit malaria transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya.
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Lilian Mbaisi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Enock Mararo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward E Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victor A Mobegi
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hellen Butungi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- University of the Witwaterstrand, Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maria Vittoria Mancini
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Joseph W Oundo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evan T Teal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Mara K N Lawniczak
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jordan Jabara
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Godfrey Nattoh
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences Technology & Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Steven P Sinkins
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Drozdova P, Madyarova E, Dimova M, Gurkov A, Vereshchagina K, Adelshin R, Timofeyev M. The diversity of microsporidian parasites infecting the Holarctic amphipod Gammarus lacustris from the Baikal region is dominated by the genus Dictyocoela. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 170:107330. [PMID: 31978415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a highly diverse group of single-celled eukaryotic parasites related to fungi and infecting hosts belonging to all groups of eukaryotes, including some protists, invertebrate and vertebrate animals. We investigated the diversity of microsporidia in the Holarctic amphipod species Gammarus lacustris from mostly, but not limited to, water bodies in the Lake Baikal region. Ribosomal DNA sequencing and host transcriptome sequencing data from various works show that this species is predominantly infected by representatives of the genus Dictyocoela and probably has some features underlying this specific interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polina Drozdova
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Madyarova
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; Baikal Research Centre, Lenin str. 21, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Mariya Dimova
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Anton Gurkov
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; Baikal Research Centre, Lenin str. 21, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Kseniya Vereshchagina
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; Baikal Research Centre, Lenin str. 21, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Renat Adelshin
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East, Trilissera str. 78, 664047 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Maxim Timofeyev
- Irkutsk State University, Karl Marx str. 1, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; Baikal Research Centre, Lenin str. 21, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Quiles A, Bacela-Spychalska K, Teixeira M, Lambin N, Grabowski M, Rigaud T, Wattier RA. Microsporidian infections in the species complex Gammarus roeselii (Amphipoda) over its geographical range: evidence for both host-parasite co-diversification and recent host shifts. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:327. [PMID: 31253176 PMCID: PMC6599290 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3571-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidians are obligate endoparasites infecting taxonomically diverse hosts. Both vertical (from mother to eggs) and horizontal (between conspecifics or between species) transmission routes are known. While the former may promote co-speciation and host-specificity, the latter may promote shifts between host species. Among aquatic arthropods, freshwater amphipod crustaceans are hosts for many microsporidian species. However, despite numerous studies, no general pattern emerged about host specificity and co-diversification. In south-eastern Europe, the gammarid Gammarus roeselii is composed of 13 cryptic lineages of Miocene to Pleistocene age but few genotypes of one lineage have spread postglacially throughout north-western Europe. Based on nearly 100 sampling sites covering its entire range, we aim to: (i) explore the microsporidian diversity present in G. roeselii and their phylogenetic relationships, especially in relation to the parasites infecting other Gammaridae; (ii) test if the host phylogeographical history might have impacted host-parasite association (e.g. co-diversifications or recent host shifts from local fauna). METHODS We used part of the small subunit rRNA gene as source of sequences to identify and determine the phylogenetic position of the microsporidian taxa infecting G. roeselii. RESULTS Microsporidian diversity was high in G. roeselii with 24 detected haplogroups, clustered into 18 species-level taxa. Ten microsporidian species were rare, infecting a few individual hosts in a few populations, and were mostly phylogenetically related to parasites from other amphipods or various crustaceans. Other microsporidians were represented by widespread genera with high prevalence: Nosema, Cucumispora and Dictyocoela. Two contrasting host association patterns could be observed. First, two vertically transmitted microsporidian species, Nosema granulosis and Dictyocoela roeselum, share the pattern of infecting G. roeselii over most of its range and are specific to this host suggesting the co-diversification scenario. This pattern contrasted with that of Dictyocoela muelleri, the three species of Cucumispora, and the rare parasites, present only in the recently colonised region by the host. These patterns suggest recent acquisitions from local host species, after the recent spread of G. roeselii. CONCLUSIONS Microsporidians infecting G. roeselii revealed two scenarios of host-parasite associations: (i) ancient associations with vertically transmitted parasites that probably co-diversified with their hosts, and (ii) host shifts from local host species, after the postglacial spread of G. roeselii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Quiles
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Maria Teixeira
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Nicolas Lambin
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Michal Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Thierry Rigaud
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Rémi André Wattier
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dimova M, Madyarova E, Gurkov A, Drozdova P, Lubyaga Y, Kondrateva E, Adelshin R, Timofeyev M. Genetic diversity of Microsporidia in the circulatory system of endemic amphipods from different locations and depths of ancient Lake Baikal. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5329. [PMID: 30083461 PMCID: PMC6076988 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endemic amphipods (Amphipoda, Crustacea) of the most ancient and large freshwater Lake Baikal (Siberia, Russia) are a highly diverse group comprising >15% of all known species of continental amphipods. The extensive endemic biodiversity of Baikal amphipods provides the unique opportunity to study interactions and possible coevolution of this group and their parasites, such as Microsporidia. In this study, we investigated microsporidian diversity in the circulatory system of 22 endemic species of amphipods inhabiting littoral, sublittoral and deep-water zones in all three basins of Lake Baikal. Using molecular genetic techniques, we found microsporidian DNA in two littoral (Eulimnogammarus verrucosus, Eulimnogammarus cyaneus), two littoral/sublittoral (Pallasea cancellus, Eulimnogammarus marituji) and two sublittoral/deep-water (Acanthogammarus lappaceus longispinus, Acanthogammarus victorii maculosus) endemic species. Twenty sequences of the small subunit ribosomal (SSU) rDNA were obtained from the haemolymph of the six endemic amphipod species sampled from 0–60 m depths at the Southern Lake Baikal’s basin (only the Western shore) and at the Central Baikal. They form clusters with similarity to Enterocytospora, Cucumispora, Dictyocoela, and several unassigned Microsporidia sequences, respectively. Our sequence data show similarity to previously identified microsporidian DNA from inhabitants of both Lake Baikal and other water reservoirs. The results of our study suggest that the genetic diversity of Microsporidia in haemolymph of endemic amphipods from Lake Baikal does not correlate with host species, geographic location or depth factors but is homogeneously diverse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ekaterina Madyarova
- Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia.,Baikal Research Centre, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Anton Gurkov
- Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia.,Baikal Research Centre, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | - Yulia Lubyaga
- Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia.,Baikal Research Centre, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | - Renat Adelshin
- Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia.,Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bacela-Spychalska K, Wróblewski P, Mamos T, Grabowski M, Rigaud T, Wattier R, Rewicz T, Konopacka A, Ovcharenko M. Europe-wide reassessment of Dictyocoela (Microsporidia) infecting native and invasive amphipods (Crustacea): molecular versus ultrastructural traits. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8945. [PMID: 29895884 PMCID: PMC5997659 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26879-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are common parasites infecting animals and protists. They are specifically common pathogens of amphipods (Crustacea, Malacostraca), with Dictyocoela spp. being particularly frequent and highly prevalent, exhibiting a range of phenotypic and ecological effects. Until now, seven species of Dictyocoela were defined, predominantly based on the genetic distance. However, neither the taxonomic status of this provisionally erected genus (based on eight novel sequences and one micrograph of the spore), nor its internal phylogenetic relationships have been clearly revealed. The formal description of the genus and of most of the putative species are still lacking. Here we aimed to fill this gap and performed both ultrastructural and molecular studies (based on SSU, ITS and partial LSU) using different species delimitation methods. As a consensus of these results and following conservative data interpretation, we propose to distinguish five species infecting gammarid hosts, and to keep the names introduced by the authors of the type sequences: Dictyocoela duebenum, D. muelleri, D. berillonum and D. roeselum. We provide full descriptions of these species. Moreover, thanks to our extensive sampling, we extend the known host and geographic range of these Microsporidia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Piotr Wróblewski
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 51/55 Twarda Street, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Mamos
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Grabowski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Thierry Rigaud
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Remi Wattier
- Laboratoire Biogéosciences, UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Tomasz Rewicz
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Alicja Konopacka
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Mykola Ovcharenko
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 51/55 Twarda Street, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Protection, Pomeranian Academy High School, 22b Arciszewskiego Street, 76-200, Słupsk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Guler Y, Short S, Green Etxabe A, Kille P, Ford AT. Population screening and transmission experiments indicate paramyxid-microsporidian co-infection in Echinogammarus marinus represents a non-hyperparasitic relationship between specific parasite strains. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4691. [PMID: 29549322 PMCID: PMC5856734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22276-y] [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: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogenetically distant parasites often infect the same host. Indeed, co-infections can occur at levels greater than expected by chance and are sometimes hyperparasitic. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus presents high levels of co-infection by two intracellular and vertically transmitted parasites, a paramyxid (Paramarteilia sp. Em) and a microsporidian strain (Dictyocoela duebenum Em). This co-infection may be hyperparasitic and result from an exploitative ‘hitchhiking’ or a symbiotic relationship between the parasites. However, the best-studied amphipod species are often collected from contaminated environments and may be immune-compromised. Immune-challenged animals frequently present co-infections and contaminant-exposed amphipods present significantly higher levels of microsporidian infection. This suggests the co-infections in E. marinus may result from contaminant-associated compromised immunity. Inconsistent with hyperparasitism, we find that artificial infections transmit Paramarteilia without microsporidian. Our population surveys reveal the co-infection relationship is geographically widespread but find only chance co-infection between the Paramarteilia and another species of microsporidian, Dictyocoela berillonum. Furthermore, we identify a haplotype of the Paramarteilia that presents no co-infection, even in populations with otherwise high co-infection levels. Overall, our results do not support the compromised-immunity hypothesis but rather that the co-infection of E. marinus, although non-hyperparasitic, results from a relationship between specific Paramarteilia and Dictyocoela duebenum strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Guler
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9LY, UK
| | - Stephen Short
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9LY, UK.,Cardiff School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Amaia Green Etxabe
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Peter Kille
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 9LY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Couchoux C, Dechaume-Moncharmont FX, Rigaud T, Bollache L. Male Gammarus roeseli provide smaller ejaculates to females infected with vertically transmitted microsporidian parasites. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
13
|
Gismondi E, Fivet A, Joaquim-Justo C. Effects of cyproterone acetate and vertically transmitted microsporidia parasite on Gammarus pulex sperm production. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:23417-23421. [PMID: 28905182 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disruption compounds (EDCs) and parasitism can both interfere with the reproduction process of organisms. The amphipod Gammarus pulex is the host of the vertically transmitted microsporidia Dictyocoela duebenum, and this work was devoted to the investigation of the effect of an exposure to the anti-androgen compound, cyproterone acetate (CPA), and/or of the presence of D. duebenum on the spermatozoa production and length. Significant reduction of the spermatozoa production was observed when G. pulex males were uninfected and exposed to CPA. There also appeared a lower number of spermatozoa when D. duebenum infects G. pulex, whatever the exposure condition. Moreover, we highlighted that CPA has no effect on spermatozoa production when males are infected by D. duebenum, and no treatment has impacted the spermatozoa length. Our results suggest CPA and D. duebenum could impact the endocrine system of G. pulex and especially processes close to the spermatozoa production (e.g., androgenic gland, androgen gland hormone released, gonad-inhibiting hormone synthesized by X-organ). However, as no mechanism of action was highlighted, further testing need to be performed to improve the understanding of their impacts. Finally, results confirm that vertically transmitted microsporidia could be a confounding factor in the endocrine disruption assessments in Gammaridae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Gismondi
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE) - Freshwater and OceaniC sciences Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), Chemistry Institute, University of Liège, Bât. B6C, 11 allée du 6 Août, B-4000, Sart-Tilman, Belgium.
| | - Adeline Fivet
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE) - Freshwater and OceaniC sciences Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), Chemistry Institute, University of Liège, Bât. B6C, 11 allée du 6 Août, B-4000, Sart-Tilman, Belgium
| | - Célia Joaquim-Justo
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE) - Freshwater and OceaniC sciences Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), Chemistry Institute, University of Liège, Bât. B6C, 11 allée du 6 Août, B-4000, Sart-Tilman, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Multiple origins of parasitic feminization: thelygeny and intersexuality in beach-hoppers are caused by paramyxid parasites, not microsporidia. Parasitology 2017; 145:408-415. [PMID: 28942752 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Within populations of the amphipod crustaceans Orchestia gammarellus and Orchestia aestuarensis, a proportion of females produce thelygenic (female-only) broods, which often contain intersexual individuals. This phenomenon is associated with the presence of two putative feminizing parasites, the paramyxid Paramarteilia orchestiae and the microsporidian Dictyocoela cavimanum, which frequently co-infect the same host. In order to determine which of the parasites causes feminization, Orchestia were resampled from the type locality of P. orchestiae in France and from another population in the UK. Breeding experiments indicated that female O. gammarellus infected with P. orchestiae produced a significantly higher proportion of female and intersex offspring than uninfected females, even in the absence of D. cavimanum. There was no difference in mortality between infected and uninfected broods, indicating that the paramyxid alters the sex ratio through feminization rather than male-killing. Although D. cavimanum also displays a female-biased prevalence in Orchestia populations, this is due to co-infection with P. orchestiae, indicating that the paramyxid, rather than the microsporidian, is the cause of feminization in these Orchestia populations.
Collapse
|
15
|
Grilo TF, Rosa R. Intersexuality in aquatic invertebrates: Prevalence and causes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 592:714-728. [PMID: 28325592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This review is the first assembling information on intersexuality in aquatic invertebrates, from freshwater to estuarine and marine environments. Intersex is a condition whereby an individual of a gonochorist (separate sexes) species has oocytes or distinct stages of spermatogonia, at varying degrees of development, within the normal gonad of the opposite gender (i.e. spermatocytes in the ovary or oocytes in the testis), often involving alterations in the gonadal structure, reproductive tract or external genitalia. By the end of 2016 we found approximately 340 records of aquatic invertebrate species evidencing signs of intersexuality (or imposex), all comprised within the Phyla Mollusca and Arthropoda. Gastropod molluscs are by far the group with more examples documented (256 species), followed by crustaceans, i.e., decapods, copepods and amphipods. To our knowledge no further cases of intersexuality were known concerning other invertebrate taxa. Despite some reports suggesting that a baseline level of intersexuality may occur naturally in some populations, the causes are multifaceted and mostly linked with environmental contamination by estrogenic and organotin endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), parasitism, and genetic/environmental sex determination abnormalities. A more comprehensive discussion about the origin of intersexuality, prevalence and causes, knowledge gaps and future research directions in the light of new omics scientific advances (genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics) is also provided. The lack of studies linking molecular responses of invertebrate intersex individuals to multiple stressors represents a true challenge to be further investigated in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago F Grilo
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal.
| | - Rui Rosa
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lewis SE, Freund JG, Wankowski JL, Baldridge MG. Correlations between estrogen and testosterone concentrations, pairing status and acanthocephalan infection in an amphipod. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|