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Okamura B, Gruhl A, De Baets K. Evolutionary transitions of parasites between freshwater and marine environments. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:345-356. [PMID: 35604852 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary transitions of organisms between environments have long fascinated biologists but attention has focused almost exclusively on free-living organisms and challenges to achieve such transitions. This bias requires addressing because parasites are a major component of biodiversity. We address this imbalance by focusing on transitions of parasitic animals between marine and freshwater environments. We highlight parasite traits and processes that may influence transition likelihood (e.g. transmission mode, life cycle, host use), and consider mechanisms and directions of transitions. Evidence for transitions in deep time and at present are described, and transitions in our changing world are considered. We propose that environmental transitions may be facilitated for endoparasites because hosts reduce exposure to physiologically challenging environments and argue that adoption of an endoparasitic lifestyle entails an equivalent transitioning process as organisms switch from living in one environment (e.g. freshwater, seawater, or air) to living symbiotically within hosts. Environmental transitions of parasites have repeatedly resulted in novel forms and diversification, contributing to the tree of life. Recognising the potential processes underlying present-day and future environmental transitions is crucial in view of our changing world and the current biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Okamura
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kenneth De Baets
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, Warsaw 02-089, Poland
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Pang KL, Hassett BT, Shaumi A, Guo SY, Sakayaroj J, Chiang MWL, Yang CH, Jones EG. Pathogenic fungi of marine animals: A taxonomic perspective. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Arundell KL, Bojko J, Wedell N, Dunn AM. Fluctuating asymmetry, parasitism and reproductive fitness in two species of gammarid crustacean. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2019; 136:37-49. [PMID: 31575833 DOI: 10.3354/dao03395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), defined as random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry, is assumed to reflect developmental instability. FA is predicted to increase in response to environmental stress, including parasite infection. In addition, based on theory we predict a higher FA in sexually selected traits, due to their greater sensitivity to stress. We investigated the relationships between FA, parasitism and reproductive fitness in 2 species of gammarid crustacean, incorporating both sexual and non-sexual traits. We tested the hypothesis that gammarids infected by vertically transmitted Microsporidia will display higher levels of FA than those infected by horizontally transmitted trematodes, because vertically transmitted Microsporidia can be present at the earliest stages of host development. We found little evidence for a relationship between FA and fecundity in Gammarus spp.; however, egg diameter for infected female Gammarus duebeni was significantly smaller than uninfected female G. duebeni. FA was not correlated with brood size in females or with sperm number in males. In contrast to our prediction, we report a lower relative FA in response to sexual traits than non-sexual traits. However, FA in sexual traits was found to be higher in males than females, supporting the theory that sexual selection leads to increased FA. Additionally, we report a negative correlation between FA and both trematode (Podocotyle atomon) and PCR-positive microsporidian (Nosema granulosis and Dictyocoela duebenum) infections and interpret these results in the context of the parasites' transmission strategies. FA in G. duebeni and G. zaddachi appears to associate with trematode and microsporidian presence, although reproductive fitness is less altered by infection.
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Bojko J, Ovcharenko M. Pathogens and other symbionts of the Amphipoda: taxonomic diversity and pathological significance. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2019; 136:3-36. [PMID: 31575832 DOI: 10.3354/dao03321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
With over 10000 species of Amphipoda currently described, this order is one of the most diverse groups of freshwater and marine Crustacea. Members of this group are globally distributed, and many are keystone species and ecosystem engineers within their respective ecologies. As with most organisms, disease is a key factor that can alter population size, behaviour, survival, invasion potential and physiology of amphipod hosts. This review explores symbiont diversity and pathology in amphipods by coalescing a range of current and historical literature to provide the first full review of our understanding of amphipod disease. The review is broken into 2 parts. The first half explores amphipod microparasites, which include data pertaining to viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, microsporidians, dinoflagellates, myxozoans, ascetosporeans, mesomycetozoeans, apicomplexans and ciliophorans. The second half reports the metazoan macroparasites of Amphipoda, including rotifers, trematodes, acanthocephalans, nematodes, cestodes and parasitic Crustacea. In all cases we have endeavoured to provide a complete list of known species that cause disease in amphipods, while also exploring the effects of parasitism. Although our understanding of disease in amphipods requires greater research efforts to better define taxonomic diversity and host effects of amphipod symbionts, research to date has made huge progress in cataloguing and experimentally determining the effects of disease upon amphipods. For the future, we suggest a greater focus on developing model systems that use readily available amphipods and diseases, which can be comparable to the diseases in other Crustacea that are endangered, economically important or difficult to house.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Bojko
- University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Aquatic Pathobiology Laboratory, 2173 Mowry Road, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
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Grabner D, Sures B. Amphipod parasites may bias results of ecotoxicological research. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2019; 136:123-134. [PMID: 31575839 DOI: 10.3354/dao03355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Amphipods are commonly used test organisms in ecotoxicological studies. Nevertheless, their naturally occurring parasites have mostly been neglected in these investigations, even though several groups of parasites can have a multitude of effects, e.g. on host survival, physiology, or behavior. In the present review, we summarize the knowledge on the effects of Microsporidia and Acanthocephala, 2 common and abundant groups of parasites in amphipods, on the outcome of ecotoxicological studies. Parasites can have significant effects on toxicological endpoints (e.g. mortality, biochemical markers) that are unexpected in some cases (e.g. down-regulation of heat shock protein 70 response in infected individuals). Therefore, parasites can bias the interpretation of results, for example if populations with different parasite profiles are compared, or if toxicological effects are masked by parasite effects. With the present review, we would like to encourage ecotoxicologists to consider parasites as an additional factor if field-collected test organisms are analyzed for biomarkers. Additionally, we suggest intensification of research activities on the effects of parasites in amphipods in connection with other stressors to disentangle parasite and pollution effects and to improve our understanding of parasite effects in this host taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
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Poley JD, Sutherland BJG, Fast MD, Koop BF, Jones SRM. Effects of the vertically transmitted microsporidian Facilispora margolisi and the parasiticide emamectin benzoate on salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). BMC Genomics 2017; 18:630. [PMID: 28818044 PMCID: PMC5561633 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4040-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microsporidia are highly specialized, parasitic fungi that infect a wide range of eukaryotic hosts from all major taxa. Infections cause a variety of damaging effects on host physiology from increased stress to death. The microsporidian Facilispora margolisi infects the Pacific salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis oncorhynchi), an economically and ecologically important ectoparasitic copepod that can impact wild and cultured salmonids. Results Vertical transmission of F. margolisi was demonstrated by using PCR and in situ hybridization to identify and localize microsporidia in female L. salmonis and their offspring. Spores and developmental structures of F. margolisi were identified in 77% of F1 generation copepods derived from infected females while offspring from uninfected females all tested negative for the microsporidia. The transcriptomic response of the salmon louse to F. margolisi was profiled at both the copepodid larval stage and the pre-adult stage using microarray technology. Infected copepodids differentially expressed 577 transcripts related to stress, ATP generation and structural components of muscle and cuticle. The infection also impacted the response of the copepodid to the parasiticide emamectin benzoate (EMB) at a low dose of 1.0 ppb for 24 h. A set of 48 transcripts putatively involved in feeding and host immunomodulation were up to 8-fold underexpressed in the F. margolisi infected copepodids treated with EMB compared with controls or either stressor alone. Additionally, these infected lice treated with EMB also overexpressed 101 transcripts involved in stress resistance and signalling compared to the other groups. In contrast, infected pre-adult lice did not display a stress response, suggesting a decrease in microsporidian virulence associated with lice maturity. Furthermore, copepodid infectivity and moulting was not affected by the microsporidian infection. Conclusions This study demonstrated that F. margolisi is transmitted vertically between salmon louse generations and that biological impacts of infection differ depending on the stage of the copepod host. The infection caused significant perturbations of larval transcriptomes and therefore must be considered in future studies in which impacts to host development and environmental factors are assessed. Fitness impacts are probably minor, although the interaction between pesticide exposure and microsporidian infection merits further study. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-4040-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D Poley
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Ben J G Sutherland
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5, Canada.,Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Département de biologie, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la Medecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mark D Fast
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Ben F Koop
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5, Canada
| | - Simon R M Jones
- Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6N7, Canada.
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Grabner DS, Weigand AM, Leese F, Winking C, Hering D, Tollrian R, Sures B. Invaders, natives and their enemies: distribution patterns of amphipods and their microsporidian parasites in the Ruhr Metropolis, Germany. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:419. [PMID: 26263904 PMCID: PMC4534018 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The amphipod and microsporidian diversity in freshwaters of a heterogeneous urban region in Germany was assessed. Indigenous and non-indigenous host species provide an ideal framework to test general hypotheses on potentially new host-parasite interactions, parasite spillback and spillover in recently invaded urban freshwater communities. Methods Amphipods were sampled in 17 smaller and larger streams belonging to catchments of the four major rivers in the Ruhr Metropolis (Emscher, Lippe, Ruhr, Rhine), including sites invaded and not invaded by non-indigenous amphipods. Species were identified morphologically (hosts only) and via DNA barcoding (hosts and parasites). Prevalence was obtained by newly designed parasite-specific PCR assays. Results Three indigenous and five non-indigenous amphipod species were detected. Gammarus pulex was further distinguished into three clades (C, D and E) and G. fossarum more precisely identified as type B. Ten microsporidian lineages were detected, including two new isolates (designated as Microsporidium sp. nov. RR1 and RR2). All microsporidians occurred in at least two different host clades or species. Seven genetically distinct microsporidians were present in non-invaded populations, six of those were also found in invaded assemblages. Only Cucumispora dikerogammari and Dictyocoela berillonum can be unambiguously considered as non-indigenous co-introduced parasites. Both were rare and were not observed in indigenous hosts. Overall, microsporidian prevalence ranged from 50 % (in G. roeselii and G. pulex C) to 73 % (G. fossarum) in indigenous and from 10 % (Dikerogammarus villosus) to 100 % (Echinogammarus trichiatus) in non-indigenous amphipods. The most common microsporidians belonged to the Dictyocoela duebenum- /D. muelleri- complex, found in both indigenous and non-indigenous hosts. Some haplotype clades were inclusive for a certain host lineage. Conclusions The Ruhr Metropolis harbours a high diversity of indigenous and non-indigenous amphipod and microsporidian species, and we found indications for an exchange of parasites between indigenous and non-indigenous hosts. No introduced microsporidians were found in indigenous hosts and prevalence of indigenous parasites in non-indigenous hosts was generally low. Therefore, no indication for parasite spillover or spillback was found. We conclude that non-indigenous microsporidians constitute only a minimal threat to the native amphipod fauna. However, this might change e.g. if C. dikerogammari adapts to indigenous amphipod species or if other hosts and parasites invade. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1036-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany. .,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Alexander M Weigand
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Florian Leese
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany. .,Present address: Aquatic Ecosystems Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany. .,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Caroline Winking
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Daniel Hering
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany. .,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Ralph Tollrian
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany. .,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Bernd Sures
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany. .,Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. .,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
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Ironside JE, Alexander J. Microsporidian parasites feminise hosts without paramyxean co-infection: support for convergent evolution of parasitic feminisation. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:427-33. [PMID: 25747725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Feminisation of amphipod crustaceans is associated with the presence of at least three microsporidian parasites and one paramyxean parasite, suggesting that the ability to feminise has evolved multiple times in parasites of amphipods. Co-infection by a paramyxean with one of the putative microsporidian feminisers, Dictyocoela duebenum, has inspired the alternative hypothesis that all feminisation of amphipods is caused by paramyxea and that all microsporidian associations with feminisation are due to co-infection with paramyxea (Short et al., 2012). In a population of the amphipod Gammarus duebeni, breeding experiments demonstrate that the microsporidia D. duebenum and Nosema granulosis are associated with feminisation in the absence of paramyxea. Co-infection of the two microsporidia is no more frequent than expected at random and each parasite is associated with feminisation in the absence of the other. These findings support the original hypothesis that the ability to feminise amphipods has evolved in microsporidia on multiple occasions. Additionally, the occurrence of a non-feminising strain of D. duebenum in Gammarus pulex suggests that different strains vary in their feminising ability, even within microsporidian species. The presence or absence of feminising ability in a particular microsporidian strain should not therefore be generalised to the species as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Edward Ironside
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DA, UK.
| | - Jenna Alexander
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DA, UK
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Grabner DS, Schertzinger G, Sures B. Effect of multiple microsporidian infections and temperature stress on the heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) response of the amphipod Gammarus pulex. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:170. [PMID: 24708778 PMCID: PMC4234974 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing temperatures can be a significant stressor for aquatic organisms. Amphipods are one of the most abundant and functionally important groups of freshwater macroinvertebrates. Therefore, we conducted a laboratory experiment with Gammarus pulex, naturally infected with microsporidians. Methods In each group, 42 gammarids were exposed to 15°C and 25°C for 24 h. Sex of gammarids was determined and microsporidian infections were detected by specific PCR. To quantify stress levels of the amphipods, the 70 kDa heat shock proteins (hsp70) were analyzed by western blot. Results More males than females were detected in the randomized population sample (ratio of females/males: 0.87). No mortality occurred at 15°C, while 42.9% of gammarids died at 25°C. Sequences of three microsporidians (M1, M2, M3) were detected in this G. pulex population (99.7%-100% sequence identity to Microsporidium spp. from GenBank). Previous studies showed that M3 is vertically transmitted, while M1 and M2 are presumably horizontally transmitted. Prevalences, according to PCR, were 27.0%, 37.8% and 64.9% for Microsporidium sp. M1, M2 and M3, respectively. Cumulative prevalence was 82.4%. Multiple infections with all three microsporidians in single gammarids were detected with a prevalence of 8.1%, and bi-infections ranged between 12.2% and 25.7%. In dead gammarids, comparatively low prevalences were noted for M1 (males and females: 11.1%) and M2 (females: 11.1%; males 0%), while prevalence of M3 was higher (females: 66.7%; males: 88.9%). No significant effect of host sex on microsporidian infection was found. Significant effects of temperature and bi-infection with Microsporidium spp. M2 + M3 on hsp70 response were detected by analysis of the whole sample (15°C and 25°C group) and of M2 + M3 bi-infection and gammarid weight when analyzing the 25°C group separately. None of the parameters had a significant effect on hsp70 levels in the 15°C group. Conclusion This study shows that some microsporidian infections in amphipods can cause an increase in stress protein level, in addition to other stressors. Although more harmful effects of combined stressors can be expected, experimental evidence suggests that such an increase might possibly have a protective effect for the host against acute temperature stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Grabner
- Aquatic Ecology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr, 5, Essen 45141, Germany.
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Krebes L, Zeidler L, Frankowski J, Bastrop R. (Cryptic) sex in the microsporidian Nosema granulosis--evidence from parasite rDNA and host mitochondrial DNA. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 21:259-68. [PMID: 24269340 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are single-celled, intracellular eukaryotes that parasitise a wide range of animals. The Nosema/Vairimorpha group includes some putative asexual species, and asexuality is proposed to have originated multiple times from sexual ancestors. Here, we studied the variation in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of 14 isolates of the presumed apomictic and vertically transmitted Nosema granulosis to evaluate its sexual status. The analysed DNA fragment contained a part of the small-subunit ribosomal gene (SSU) and the entire intergenic spacer (IGS). The mitochondrial cox1 gene of the host Gammarus duebeni (Crustacea) was analysed to temporally calibrate the system and to test the expectation of cophylogeny of host and parasite genealogies. Genetic variability of the SSU gene was very low within and between the isolates. In contrast, intraisolate (within a single host) variability of the IGS felt in two categories, because 12 isolates possess a very high IGS genetic diversity and two isolates were almost invariable in the IGS. This difference suggests variable models of rDNA evolution involving birth-and-death and unexpectedly concerted evolution. An alternative explanation could be a likewise unattended mixed infection of host individuals by more than one parasite strain. Despite considerable genetic divergence between associated host mitochondrial haplotypes, some N. granulosis 'IGS populations' seem not to belong to different gene pools; the relevant tests failed to show significant differences between populations. A set of recombinant IGS sequences made our data incompatible with the model of a solely maternally inherited, asexual species. In line with recent reports, our study supports the hypothesis that some assumed apomictic Microsporidia did not entirely abstain from the evolutionary advantages of sex. In addition, the presented data indicate that horizontal transmission may occur occasionally. This transmission mode could be a survival strategy of N. granulosis whose host often populates ephemeral habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krebes
- University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Lisza Zeidler
- University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jens Frankowski
- University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ralf Bastrop
- University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
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Curno O, Reader T, McElligott AG, Behnke JM, Barnard CJ. Infection before pregnancy affects immunity and response to social challenge in the next generation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 366:3364-74. [PMID: 22042914 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural selection should favour parents that are able to adjust their offspring's life-history strategy and resource allocation in response to changing environmental and social conditions. Pathogens impose particularly strong and variable selective pressure on host life histories, and parental genes will benefit if offspring are appropriately primed to meet the immunological challenges ahead. Here, we investigated transgenerational immune priming by examining reproductive resource allocation by female mice in response to direct infection with Babesia microti prior to pregnancy. Female mice previously infected with B. microti gained more weight over pregnancy, and spent more time nursing their offspring. These offspring generated an accelerated response to B. microti as adults, clearing the infection sooner and losing less weight as a result of infection. They also showed an altered hormonal response to novel social environments, decreasing instead of increasing testosterone production upon social housing. These results suggest that a dominance-resistance trade-off can be mediated by cues from the previous generation. We suggest that strategic maternal investment in response to an infection leads to increased disease resistance in the following generation. Offspring from previously infected mothers downregulate investment in acquisition of social dominance, which in natural systems would reduce access to mating opportunities. In doing so, however, they avoid the reduced disease resistance associated with increased testosterone and dominance. The benefits of accelerated clearance of infection and reduced weight loss during infection may outweigh costs associated with reduced social dominance in an environment where the risk of disease is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Curno
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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Gismondi E, Rigaud T, Beisel JN, Cossu-Leguille C. Microsporidia parasites disrupt the responses to cadmium exposure in a gammarid. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2012; 160:17-23. [PMID: 22035920 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia parasites are commonly found in amphipods, where they are often asymptomatic, vertically-transmitted and have several effects on host sexuality and behaviour. As amphipods are often used as models in ecotoxicological studies, we investigated the effect of microsporidian infections on energy reserves and defence capacities of Gammarus roeseli under cadmium stress. Only females were infected by two microsporidia parasites: Dictyocoela roeselum or Dictyocoela muelleri. In physiological conditions, microsporidia had no major effect on energy reserves and defence capacities of G. roeseli, while under cadmium exposure, energy reserves and antioxidant defence were weaker in infected females. Moreover, higher malondialdehyde levels detected in infected females revealed that they suffered more cellular damages. Our results suggest that microsporidia may affect gammarid fitness in stressful conditions, when parasitic stress cannot be compensated by the host. Consequently, microsporidia parasites should be a factor necessary to take into account in ecotoxicology studies involving amphipods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Gismondi
- Laboratoire des Interactions Ecotoxicologie Biodiversité Ecosystèmes (LIEBE), Université Paul Verlaine - METZ, CNRS UMR 7146, Campus Bridoux, Avenue du Général Delestraint, 57070 Metz, France.
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Ryan JA, Kohler SL. Virulence is context-dependent in a vertically transmitted aquatic host–microparasite system. Int J Parasitol 2010; 40:1665-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Revised: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Krebes L, Blank M, Frankowski J, Bastrop R. Molecular characterisation of the Microsporidia of the amphipod Gammarus duebeni across its natural range revealed hidden diversity, wide-ranging prevalence and potential for co-evolution. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2010; 10:1027-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2009] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Jones EO, White A, Boots M. The evolutionary implications of conflict between parasites with different transmission modes. Evolution 2010; 64:2408-16. [PMID: 20298464 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2010.00992.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the processes that shape the evolution of parasites is a key challenge for evolutionary biology. It is well understood that different parasites may often infect the same host and that this may have important implications to the evolutionary behavior. Here we examine the evolutionary implications of the conflict that arises when two parasite species, one vertically transmitted and the other horizontally transmitted, infect the same host. We show that the presence of a vertically transmitted parasite (VTP) often leads to the evolution of higher virulence in horizontally transmitted parasites (HTPs), particularly if the VTPs are feminizing. The high virulence in some HTPs may therefore result from coinfection with cryptic VTPs. The impact of an HTP on a VTP evolution depends crucially on the nature of the life-history trade-offs. Fast virulent HTPs select for intermediate feminization and virulence in VTPs. Coevolutionary models show similar insights, but emphasize the importance of host life span to the outcome, with higher virulence in both types of parasite in short-lived hosts. Overall, our models emphasize the interplay of host and parasite characteristics in the evolutionary outcome and point the way for further empirical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward O Jones
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, England, United Kingdom.
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16
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Robar N, Burness G, Murray DL. Tropics, trophics and taxonomy: the determinants of parasite-associated host mortality. OIKOS 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.18292.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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17
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Brown G, Shilton C, Shine R. Do parasites matter? Assessing the fitness consequences of haemogregarine infection in snakes. CAN J ZOOL 2006. [DOI: 10.1139/z06-044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although much research in evolutionary ecology is based upon the premise that high levels of parasitism impair the host's functioning, the assumed link between parasitism and fitness has been assessed for relatively few kinds of animals. At our study site in tropical Australia, keelback snakes ( Tropidonophis mairii (Gray, 1841), Colubridae) are heavily infected with haemogregarine blood parasites: 90% of snakes that we tested carried the parasite, with the proportion of erythrocytes containing haemogregarines averaging 15% and ranging up to a remarkable 64%. Prevalence increased with snake body size, but intensity decreased with age. Unlike lizards studied previously, the snakes did not respond to haemogregarine infection by releasing immature erythrocytes into the circulation. In striking contrast to results from a recent study on a sympatric snake species, we did not find any empirical links between parasite numbers and several measures of host fitness (body condition, growth rate, feeding rate, antipredator behaviour, locomotor performance, reproductive status, reproductive output, and recapture rate). The association between this parasite and its host thus appears to be surprisingly benign, suggesting that host–parasite interactions sometimes may have only trivial consequences for host fitness in natural populations. Plausibly, host–parasite coevolution weakens or eliminates fitness costs of parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- G.P. Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia
| | - C.M. Shilton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia
| | - R. Shine
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia
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18
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Gagné F, Blaise C, Pellerin J. Altered exoskeleton composition and vitellogenesis in the crustacean Gammarus sp. collected at polluted sites in the Saguenay Fjord, Quebec, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2005; 98:89-99. [PMID: 15721888 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2004.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2004] [Revised: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 09/23/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Gammarus sp. individuals were collected at four intertidal sites subjected to direct sources of pollution (marinas, ferry traffic, and harbors) and at one site with no direct source of pollution. Levels of vitellogenin-like proteins (Vtg), metallothioneins (MT), alkali-labile phosphates (ALPs) in proteins, and lipogenic enzyme activities (i.e., glucose-6-dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and malate enzyme) were measured in whole soft tissues. In exoskeletons, levels of pH-dependent extractable protein and chitin were determined to assess the possible impacts of pollution on exoskeleton integrity and the molting process. Results show that males were consistently heavier than females regardless of site quality but that the whole-body weight of both sexes was significantly lower at polluted sites. Females displayed either induced or decreased Vtg-like proteins at polluted sites, indicating significant changes in gametogenesis activity. MT levels were not sex dependent and tended to be induced at all impacted sites. ALP levels in acetone-fractionated proteins indicate altered phosphate mobilization at some impacted sites, where females tended to display higher ALP levels. Lipogenic enzyme activities did not vary by sex but were readily increased at impacted sites, suggesting a delay in gonad maturation rates. Exoskeleton protein characteristics revealed that the proportion of chitin in exoskeletons was a lower at most impacted site, suggesting disruption of chitin and pH-dependent protein mobilization. Principal component analysis revealed that gammarids collected at affected sites displayed substantial changes in the proportion of chitin, arthropodin, sclerotin, MTs, and intermediary glucose metabolism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase in soft tissues) and thus suffered from disturbed gametogenesis and exoskeleton integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gagné
- St. Lawrence Centre, Environment Canada, Research on Aquatic Ecosystems, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, Que., Canada H2Y 2E7.
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19
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Hatcher MJ, Hogg JC, Dunn AM. Local adaptation and enhanced virulence of Nosema granulosis artificially introduced into novel populations of its crustacean host, Gammarus duebeni. Int J Parasitol 2005; 35:265-74. [PMID: 15722078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2004.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2004] [Accepted: 12/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Local adaptation theory predicts that, on average, most parasite species should be locally adapted to their hosts (more suited to hosts from local than distant populations). Local adaptation has been studied for many horizontally transmitted parasites, however, vertically transmitted parasites have received little attention. Here we present the first study of local adaptation in an animal/parasite system where the parasite is vertically transmitted. We investigate local adaptation and patterns of virulence in a crustacean host infected with the vertically transmitted microsporidian Nosema granulosis. Nosema granulosis is vertically transmitted to successive generations of its crustacean host, Gammarus duebeni and infects up to 46% of adult females in natural populations. We investigate local adaptation using artificial horizontal infection of different host populations in the UK. Parasites were artificially inoculated from a donor population into recipient hosts from the sympatric population and into hosts from three allopatric populations in the UK. The parasite was successfully established in hosts from all populations regardless of location, infecting 45% of the recipients. Nosema granulosis was vertically (transovarially) transmitted to 39% of the offspring of artificially infected females. Parasite burden (intensity of infection) in developing embryos differed significantly between host populations and was an order of magnitude higher in the sympatric population, suggesting some degree of host population specificity with the parasite adapted to its local host population. In contrast with natural infections, artificial infection with the parasite resulted in substantial virulence, with reduced host fecundity (24%) and survival (44%) of infected hosts from all the populations regardless of location. We discuss our findings in relation to theories of local adaptation and parasite-host coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J Hatcher
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK.
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20
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Zbinden M, Lass S, Refardt D, Hottinger J, Ebert D. Octosporea bayeri: fumidil B inhibits vertical transmission in Daphnia magna. Exp Parasitol 2004; 109:58-61. [PMID: 15639141 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2004.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2004] [Revised: 10/27/2004] [Accepted: 11/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a highly successful and ecologically diverse group of parasites, and thus represent interesting model systems for research on host-parasite interactions. However, such research often requires the ability to cure hosts of infections, a difficult task, given the short lifespan of most invertebrates and the efficient vertical transmission of some parasites. To our knowledge, few treatments are available to cure microsporidiosis in invertebrate hosts, and protocols have not yet been developed to inhibit vertical transmission and thereby cure host lines. We present a protocol for inhibiting vertical transmission of the microsporidian parasite Octosporea bayeri in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. We used 100 mg/L Fumidil B dissolved in the culture medium of the host. This technique allowed Daphnia to survive and reproduce and inhibited vertical transmission of the parasite. The method presented here may be of general interest for other aquatic host-parasite systems involving microsporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Zbinden
- Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution, Université de Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
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21
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Haine ER, Brondani E, Hume KD, Perrot-Minnot MJ, Gaillard M, Rigaud T. Coexistence of three microsporidia parasites in populations of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus roeseli: evidence for vertical transmission and positive effect on reproduction. Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:1137-46. [PMID: 15380685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2004.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2004] [Revised: 06/16/2004] [Accepted: 06/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence, transmission mode and fitness effects of infections by obligatory intracellular, microsporidian parasites in the freshwater amphipod Gammarus roeseli. We found three different microsporidia species in this host, all using transovarial (vertical) transmission. All three coexist at different prevalences in two host populations, but bi-infected individuals were rarely found, suggesting no (or very little) horizontal transmission. It is predicted that vertically-transmitted parasites may exhibit sex-specific virulence in their hosts, or they may have either positive or neutral effects on host fitness. All three species differed in their transmission efficiency and infection intensity and our data suggest that these microsporidia exert sex-specific virulence by feminising male hosts. The patterns of infection we found exhibit convergent evolution with those of another amphipod host, Gammarus duebeni. Interestingly, we found that infected females breed earlier in the reproductive season than uninfected females. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to report a positive effect of microsporidian infection on female host reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Haine
- Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 5561 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
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22
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Kelly A, Hatcher MJ, Dunn AM. Intersexuality in the amphipod Gammarus duebeni results from incomplete feminisation by the vertically transmitted parasitic sex ratio distorter Nosema granulosis. Evol Ecol 2004. [DOI: 10.1023/b:evec.0000021091.27606.3c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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