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Philippon J, Serrano-Martínez E, Poirotte C. Fecal avoidance and gastrointestinal parasitism in semi-free ranging woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-023-03317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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2
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The Connection between Immunocompetence and Reproduction in Wildlife. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030785. [PMID: 36983939 PMCID: PMC10051471 DOI: 10.3390/life13030785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction rate is important for the survival of animal populations. During gravidity, a trade-off occurs between the individual well-being of gravid females and investment in offspring. Due to the high synthesis and energy requirements for the growing fetus, other physiological activities are downregulated in pregnant females. This causes changes in the composition of the reproductive microbiome and a decreased immune response to presented antigens and pathogens. As a result, the immunocompetence of gravid wild animals declines. In general, therefore, increased infection rates during pregnancy can be observed in all wildlife species studied. In the course of evolution, however, this has apparently evolved as a suitable strategy to ensure the survival of the population as a whole.
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Greiman SE, Wilson RE, Sesmundo B, Reakoff J, Sonsthagen SA. Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae:Splendidofilariinae) Microfilaria within Alaskan Ground-Dwelling Birds in the Grouse Subfamily Tetraoninae Using Taqman Probe-Based Real-Time PCR. J Parasitol 2022; 108:192-198. [DOI: 10.1645/21-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30460
| | - Robert E. Wilson
- University of Nebraska State Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | - Briana Sesmundo
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30460
| | - Jack Reakoff
- Alaska Subsistence Hunter, 114 Newhouse Street, Wiseman Village, Alaska 99790
| | - Sarah A. Sonsthagen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
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Lester RJG, Blomberg SP. Three methods to measure parasite aggregation using examples from Australian fish parasites. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. G. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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Vanden Broecke B, Bernaerts L, Ribas A, Sluydts V, Mnyone L, Matthysen E, Leirs H. Linking Behavior, Co-infection Patterns, and Viral Infection Risk With the Whole Gastrointestinal Helminth Community Structure in Mastomys natalensis. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:669058. [PMID: 34485424 PMCID: PMC8415832 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.669058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection probability, load, and community structure of helminths varies strongly between and within animal populations. This can be ascribed to environmental stochasticity or due to individual characteristics of the host such as their age or sex. Other, but understudied, factors are the hosts' behavior and co-infection patterns. In this study, we used the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) as a model system to investigate how the hosts' sex, age, exploration behavior, and viral infection history affects their infection risk, parasitic load, and community structure of gastrointestinal helminths. We hypothesized that the hosts' exploration behavior would play a key role in the risk for infection by different gastrointestinal helminths, whereby highly explorative individuals would have a higher infection risk leading to a wider diversity of helminths and a larger load compared to less explorative individuals. Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro, Tanzania, where we trapped a total of 214 individual mice. Their exploratory behavior was characterized using a hole-board test after which we collected the helminths inside their gastrointestinal tract. During our study, we found helminths belonging to eight different genera: Hymenolepis sp., Protospirura muricola, Syphacia sp., Trichuris mastomysi, Gongylonema sp., Pterygodermatites sp., Raillietina sp., and Inermicapsifer sp. and one family: Trichostrongylidae. Hierarchical modeling of species communities (HMSC) was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on the infection probability, parasite load, and community structure of these helminths. Our results show that species richness was higher in adults and in females compared to juveniles and males, respectively. Contrary to our expectations, we found that less explorative individuals had higher infection probability with different helminths resulting in a higher diversity, which could be due to a higher exposure rate to these helminths and/or behavioral modification due to the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lisse Bernaerts
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexis Ribas
- Parasitology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, IRBio (Research Institute of Biodiversity), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincent Sluydts
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ladslaus Mnyone
- Pest Management Center, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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LOUPING-ILL VIRUS SEROSURVEY OF WILLOW PTARMIGAN (LAGOPUS LAGOPUS LAGOPUS) IN NORWAY. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:282-291. [PMID: 33822153 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In Norway, the Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus lagopus) is experiencing population declines and is nationally Red Listed as Near Threatened. Although disease has not generally been regarded as an important factor behind population fluctuations for Willow Ptarmigan in Norway, disease occurrence has been poorly investigated. Both louping-ill virus (LIV) and the closely related tick-borne encephalitis virus are found along the southern part of the Norwegian coast. We assessed whether and where Norwegian Willow Ptarmigan populations have been infected with LIV. We expected to find infected individuals in populations in the southernmost part of the country. We did not expect to find infected individuals in populations further north and at higher altitudes because of the absence of the main vector, the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). We collected serum samples on Nobuto filter paper and used a hemagglutination inhibition assay for antibodies against LIV. We collected data at both local and country-wide levels. For local sampling, we collected and analyzed 87 hunter-collected samples from one of the southernmost Willow Ptarmigan populations in Norway. Of these birds, only three positives (3.4%) were found. For the country-wide sampling, we collected serum samples from 163 Willow Ptarmigan carcasses submitted from selected locations all over the country. Of these birds, 32% (53) were seropositive for LIV or a cross-reacting virus. Surprisingly, we found seropositive individuals from locations across the whole country, including outside the known distribution of the sheep tick. These results suggest that either LIV or a cross-reacting virus infects ptarmigan in large parts of Norway, including at high altitudes and latitudes.
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7
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Nord A, Hegemann A, Folkow LP. Reduced immune responsiveness contributes to winter energy conservation in an Arctic bird. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:223/8/jeb219287. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.219287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Animals in seasonal environments must prudently manage energy expenditure to survive the winter. This may be achieved through reductions in the allocation of energy for various purposes (e.g. thermoregulation, locomotion, etc.). We studied whether such trade-offs also include suppression of the innate immune response, by subjecting captive male Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during exposure to either mild temperature (0°C) or cold snaps (acute exposure to −20°C), in constant winter darkness when birds were in energy-conserving mode, and in constant daylight in spring. The innate immune response was mostly unaffected by temperature. However, energy expenditure was below baseline when birds were immune challenged in winter, but significantly above baseline in spring. This suggests that the energetic component of the innate immune response was reduced in winter, possibly contributing to energy conservation. Immunological parameters decreased (agglutination, lysis, bacteriostatic capacity) or did not change (haptoglobin/PIT54) after the challenge, and behavioural modifications (anorexia, mass loss) were lengthy (9 days). While we did not study the mechanisms explaining these weak, or slow, responses, it is tempting to speculate they may reflect the consequences of having evolved in an environment where pathogen transmission rate is presumably low for most of the year. This is an important consideration if climate change and increased exploitation of the Arctic would alter pathogen communities at a pace outwith counter-adaption in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Nord
- Department of Biology, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø – the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan G63 0AW, UK
| | - Arne Hegemann
- Department of Biology, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars P. Folkow
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø – the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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Sikkel PC, Pagan JA, Santos JL, Hendrick GC, Nicholson MD, Xavier R. Molecular detection of apicomplexan blood parasites of coral reef fishes from free-living stages of ectoparasitic gnathiid isopods. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1975-1980. [PMID: 32333110 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06676-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gnathiid isopods are marine ectoparasites that feed on the blood of fishes that have been implicated as vectors of blood parasites, with transmission possibly occurring through biting during their parasitic life-stages, or through ingestion by fishes. However, evidence for their role as vectors is limited, reflecting the small number of research groups working on them. Here, we used a molecular barcode approach to identify fish hosts and apicomplexan parasites in free-living gnathiids from the eastern Caribbean Sea, with the goal of further evaluating their potential role as reservoirs and/or vectors for these parasites. Apicomplexa were only identified in 8% of the Gnathia analyzed, and in four cases we could identify both Apicomplexa and fish host DNA. The results further suggest that Gnathia spp. in this region may serve as reservoirs for Apicomplexa, but whether they are vectors for this parasite remains uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Sikkel
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, State University, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA. .,Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - J Andres Pagan
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Joana L Santos
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Gina C Hendrick
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, State University, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA
| | - Matthew D Nicholson
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, State University, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA
| | - Raquel Xavier
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
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9
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Gastroenteric parasite of wild Galliformes in the Italian Alps: implication for conservation management. Parasitology 2019; 147:471-477. [PMID: 31852557 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201900177x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This study provides insights about the diversity, prevalence and distribution of alpine wild galliformes gastrointestinal parasite community, trying to fill a gap in the scientific information currently available in scientific literature. The analysis included three host species: 77 rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis), 83 black grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix) and 26 rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta helveticus) shot during the hunting seasons 2008-2015. Parasites isolated were Ascaridia compar, Capillaria caudinflata and cestodes. The rock ptarmigan was free from gastrointestinal parasites, whereas the most prevalent helminth (37%) was A. compar in both black grouse and rock partridge. C. caudinflata occurrence was significantly higher in black grouse (prevalence = 10%, mean abundance = 0.6 parasites/sampled animal) than in rock partridge (prevalence = 1.20%, mean abundance = 0.01 parasites/sampled animal). Significant differences were detected among hunting districts. A. compar was found with a significant higher degree of infestation in the hunting districts in the northern part of the study area whereas cestodes abundance was higher in Lanzo Valley. Quantitative analysis of risk factors was carried out using a generalized linear model (GLM) only on the most common parasite (A. compar). Latitude was the only factors associated with infestation risk (OR = 52.4). This study provides information on the composition and variability of the parasite community in the alpine Galliformes species.
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Gilg O, Bollache L, Afonso E, Yannic G, Schmidt NM, Hansen LH, Hansen J, Sittler B, Lang J, Meyer N, Sabard B, Gilg V, Lang A, Lebbar M, Haukisalmi V, Henttonen H, Moreau J. Are gastrointestinal parasites associated with the cyclic population dynamics of their arctic lemming hosts? Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 10:6-12. [PMID: 31321206 PMCID: PMC6612653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Many rodents, including most populations of arctic lemmings (genus Dicrostonyx and Lemmus), have cyclic population dynamics. Among the numerous hypotheses which have been proposed and tested to explain this typical characteristic of some terrestrial vertebrate communities, trophic interactions have often been presented as the most likely drivers of these periodic fluctuations. The possible role of parasites has, however, only seldom been assessed. In this study, we genetically measured the prevalence of two endoparasite taxa, eimerians and cestodes, in 372 faecal samples from collared lemmings, over a five year period and across three distant sites in Northeast Greenland. Prevalence of cestodes was low (2.7% over all sites and years) and this taxon was only found at one site (although in 4 out of 5 years) in adult hosts. By contrast, we found high prevalence for eimerians (77.7% over all sites and years), which occurred at all sites, in every year, for both age classes (at the Hochstetter Forland site where both adult and juvenile faeces were collected) and regardless of reproductive and social status inferred from the characteristics of the lemming nests where the samples had been collected. Prevalence of eimerians significantly varied among years (not among sites) and was higher for juvenile than for adult lemmings at the Hochstetter Forland site. However, higher prevalence of eimerians (P t ) was only associated with lower lemming density (N t ) at one of the three sites and we found no delayed density dependence between N t and P t+1 to support the parasite hypothesis. Our results show that there is no clear relation between lemming density and eimerian faecal prevalence in Northeast Greenland and hence no evidence that eimerians could be driving the cyclic population dynamics of collared lemmings in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Gilg
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
| | - Loïc Bollache
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
| | - Eve Afonso
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lars Holst Hansen
- Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jannik Hansen
- Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Benoît Sittler
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
- Chair for Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Tennenbacherstrasse 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Lang
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Working Group for Wildlife Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS-UFC, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
| | - Brigitte Sabard
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
| | - Vladimir Gilg
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
| | - Anita Lang
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
- Nonnenrötherstr. 14a, 35423, Lich, Germany
| | - Mathilde Lebbar
- UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Jérôme Moreau
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France
- UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
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Hendrick GC, Dolan MC, McKay T, Sikkel PC. Host DNA integrity within blood meals of hematophagous larval gnathiid isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae). Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:316. [PMID: 31234905 PMCID: PMC6591976 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3567-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Juvenile gnathiid isopods are common ectoparasites of marine fishes. Each of the three juvenile stages briefly attach to a host to obtain a blood meal but spend most of their time living in the substrate, thus making it difficult to determine patterns of host exploitation. Sequencing of host blood meals from wild-caught specimens is a promising tool to determine host identity. Although established protocols for this approach exist, certain challenges must be overcome when samples are subjected to typical field conditions that may contribute to DNA degradation. The goal of this study was to address a key methodological issue associated with molecular-based host identification from free-living, blood-engorged gnathiid isopods-the degradation of host DNA within blood meals. Here we have assessed the length of time host DNA within gnathiid blood meals can remain viable for positive host identification. METHODS Juvenile gnathiids were allowed to feed on fish of known species and subsets were preserved at 4-h intervals over 24 h and then every 24 h up to 5 days post-feeding. Host DNA extracted from gnathiid blood meals was sequenced to validate the integrity of host DNA at each time interval. DNA was also extracted from blood meals of wild-fed gnathiids for comparison. Attempts were also made to extract host DNA from metamorphosed juveniles. RESULTS Using a cox1 universal fish primer set, known fish host DNA sequences were successfully identified for nearly 100% of third-stage juvenile gnathiid blood meals, digested for up to 5 days post-feeding. For second-stage juveniles, host identification was 100% successful when gnathiids were preserved within 24 h of collection. Fish hosts were positively identified for 69% of sequences from wild-fed gnathiid isopods. Of the 31% of sequences not receiving a ≥ 98 % match to a sequence in GenBank, 25 sequences were of possible invertebrate origin. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the degradation rate of gnathiid isopod blood meals. Determining the rate at which gnathiids digest their blood meal is an important step in ensuring the successful host identification by DNA-based methods in large field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina C Hendrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR, 72467, USA.,Arkansas Biosciences Institute, 504 University Loop, Jonesboro, AR, 72401, USA
| | - Maureen C Dolan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR, 72467, USA.,Arkansas Biosciences Institute, 504 University Loop, Jonesboro, AR, 72401, USA
| | - Tanja McKay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR, 72467, USA
| | - Paul C Sikkel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR, 72467, USA.
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12
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Isomursu M, Helle P, Rätti O. Intestinal Parasites as Potential Factors in the Dynamics of a Fluctuating Forest Grouse Community. ANN ZOOL FENN 2017. [DOI: 10.5735/086.054.0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marja Isomursu
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Elektroniikkatie 3, FI-90590 Oulu, Finland
| | - Pekka Helle
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Osmo Rätti
- University of Lapland, Arctic Centre, Pohjoisranta 4, FI-96100 Rovaniemi, Finland
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13
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The role of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) as intermediate hosts in the transmission of Hymenolepis microps (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from the willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus (Aves: Tetraonidae). J Helminthol 2017; 92:49-55. [PMID: 28260532 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x17000141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The cestode Hymenolepis microps is an intestinal parasite of tetraonid birds, including the willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus). This parasite is able to maintain a high prevalence and intensity throughout the year, even in a subarctic environment in bird populations with relatively low host densities, indicating effective transmission routes. Willow ptarmigan consume mainly vegetal material and active consumption of invertebrates is confined to the first two or three weeks of life. Ptarmigan are infected by different species of ectoparasites, of which two species of feather lice, Lagopoecus affinis and Goniodes lagopi, are the most abundant. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that feather lice may be suitable intermediate hosts for H. microps. We applied histological techniques and light microscopy to investigate lice for the presence of larval cestode stages (cysticercoids). We found 12 cysticercoid-like structures inside chewing lice collected on L. lagopus hosts harbouring H. microps. In addition, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of Ischnocera lice DNA, targeting the 18S rRNA gene of the cestode, showed positive results for two different short fragments of the 18S rRNA gene of H. microps which were sequenced from lice collected on birds. Both independent lines of evidence support the hypothesis that Ischnocera lice might be suitable intermediate hosts in the life cycle of H. microps in L. lagopus.
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14
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Is cestode infection intensity associated with decreased body condition in the Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola? J Helminthol 2017; 92:42-48. [PMID: 28124636 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x17000037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola is a widespread woodland specialist and a widely harvested quarry species throughout its European wintering areas, including Britain. Woodcock are prone to cestodiasis, but prevalence levels and possible effects on body condition remain under-studied. We studied the prevalence, abundance and intensity of cestodiasis in 161 woodcock harvested in four British regions in December and January during two consecutive winters (2013/14 and 2014/15). Cestodiasis prevalence was 90%, and there was no difference in prevalence between birds harvested in Cornwall, Wessex, East Anglia and Scotland. High prevalence levels were explained by the fact that earthworms (Lumbricidae) are intermediate hosts for some cestode species and also the most important dietary component of woodcock. The distribution of cestodiasis in woodcock was aggregated, such that when using the total length of cestodes per sample to measure abundance, 65% of the birds had less than 80 cm. Cestodiasis abundance varied between sexes across regions but the intensity was not affected by region, sex, age or their interactions. The intensity of cestodiasis was positively correlated with fresh weight and pectoral mass, while no significant correlation was found with the abdominal fat pad. Our results suggest that, despite high prevalence levels and intensity of cestodiasis in woodcock, host body condition is not significantly affected and hence it is unlikely that cestodiasis has a major effect on woodcock population dynamics.
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Stenkewitz U, Nielsen ÓK, Skírnisson K, Stefánsson G. Host-Parasite Interactions and Population Dynamics of Rock Ptarmigan. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165293. [PMID: 27870855 PMCID: PMC5117593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Populations of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in Iceland fluctuate in multiannual cycles with peak numbers c. every 10 years. We studied the ptarmigan-parasite community and how parasites relate to ptarmigan age, body condition, and population density. We collected 632 ptarmigan in northeast Iceland in early October from 2006 to 2012; 630 (99.7%) were infected with at least one parasite species, 616 (98%) with ectoparasites, and 536 (85%) with endoparasites. We analysed indices for the combined parasite community (16 species) and known pathogenic parasites, two coccidian protozoans Eimeria muta and Eimeria rjupa, two nematodes Capillaria caudinflata and Trichostrongylus tenuis, one chewing louse Amyrsidea lagopi, and one skin mite Metamicrolichus islandicus. Juveniles overall had more ectoparasites than adults, but endoparasite levels were similar in both groups. Ptarmigan population density was associated with endoparasites, and in particular prevalence of the coccidian parasite Eimeria muta. Annual aggregation level of this eimerid fluctuated inversely with prevalence, with lows at prevalence peak and vice versa. Both prevalence and aggregation of E. muta tracked ptarmigan population density with a 1.5 year time lag. The time lag could be explained by the host specificity of this eimerid, host density dependent shedding of oocysts, and their persistence in the environment from one year to the next. Ptarmigan body condition was negatively associated with E. muta prevalence, an indication of their pathogenicity, and this eimerid was also positively associated with ptarmigan mortality and marginally inversely with fecundity. There were also significant associations between fecundity and chewing louse Amyrsidea lagopi prevalence (negative), excess juvenile mortality and nematode Capillaria caudinflata prevalence (positive), and adult mortality and skin mite Metamicrolichus islandicus prevalence (negative). Though this study is correlational, it provides strong evidence that E. muta through time-lag in prevalence with respect to host population size and by showing significant relations with host body condition, mortality, and fecundity could destabilize ptarmigan population dynamics in Iceland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Stenkewitz
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Askja, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Garðabær, Iceland
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur, Reykjavík, Iceland
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Karl Skírnisson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Helminth community structure in two species of arctic-breeding waterfowl. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2016; 5:263-272. [PMID: 27709067 PMCID: PMC5040642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Climate change is occurring rapidly at high latitudes, and subsequent changes in parasite communities may have implications for hosts including wildlife and humans. Waterfowl, in particular, harbor numerous parasites and may facilitate parasite movement across broad geographic areas due to migratory movements. However, little is known about helminth community structure of waterfowl at northern latitudes. We investigated the helminth communities of two avian herbivores that breed at high latitudes, Pacific black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans), and greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), to examine effects of species, geographic area, age, and sex on helminth species richness, aggregation, prevalence, and intensity. We collected 83 and 58 black brant and white-fronted geese, respectively, from Arctic and Subarctic Alaska July–August 2014. We identified 10 known helminth species (Amidostomum anseris, Amidostomum spatulatum, Drepanidotaenia lanceolata, Epomidiostomum crami, Heterakis dispar, Notocotylus attenuatus, Tetrameres striata, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Tschertkovilepis setigera, and Wardoides nyrocae) and 1 previously undescribed trematode. All geese sampled were infected with at least one helminth species. All helminth species identified were present in both age classes and species, providing evidence of transmission at high latitudes and suggesting broad host susceptibility. Also, all but one helminth species were present at both sites, suggesting conditions are suitable for transmission across a large latitudinal/environmental gradient. Our study provides important baseline information on avian parasites that can be used to evaluate the effects of a changing climate on host-parasite distributions. We collected two goose species in two high-latitude locations to quantify helminths. We identified 10 helminths and 1 previously unidentified trematode in two hosts. Waterfowl helminths are readily transmitted in the Arctic and Subarctic. Arctic-breeding geese have high helminth prevalence rates and infection intensities.
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Adaptive and neutral genetic differentiation among Scottish and endangered Irish red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica). CONSERV GENET 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-016-0810-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Jahren T, Storaas T, Willebrand T, Fossland Moa P, Hagen BR. Declining reproductive output in capercaillie and black grouse – 16 countries and 80 years. ANIM BIOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-00002514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Declines in populations of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) have been reported from both Central Europe and the continuous boreal forests of Fennoscandia. While intensified land-use is assumed to be the underlying cause of these declines, the mechanisms are not yet understood. Predation is the proximate cause of mortality of eggs, chicks and adults throughout capercaillie and black grouse ranges, but the link between predation and habitat and/or climate change remains unclear. To investigate temporal trends in reproductive output of woodland grouse, we collated previously published and unpublished data of reproduction in capercaillie and black grouse throughout their ranges from 1930 to 2012. We show that, overall, reproductive success has decreased and stabilized at low levels in most regions whilst capercaillie reproductive output in Scotland is still declining. With today’s net reproduction, capercaillie and black grouse adult survival is too low to compensate for reproduction declines. Consequently, populations are expected to further decline unless reproductive performances improve. We put our findings in the context of changes in land use, climate and generalist predator numbers. By critically reviewing how these factors limit reproductive success in capercaillie and black grouse, we hope to shed light on the underlying mechanisms causing the decline. Our results imply that measures should be undertaken to reduce mortality of capercaillie and black grouse chicks and eggs. We suggest that future studies should aim to better understand which predators limit capercaillie and black grouse populations and how predation rates are mediated by continuously changing habitat and climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torfinn Jahren
- 1Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Torstein Storaas
- 1Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Tomas Willebrand
- 1Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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Cohen C, Einav M, Hawlena H. Path analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data suggest that variability in natural communities of blood-associated parasites is derived from host characteristics and not interspecific interactions. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:429. [PMID: 26286391 PMCID: PMC4545369 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasite composition of wild host individuals often impacts their behavior and physiology, and the transmission dynamics of pathogenic species thereby determines disease risk in natural communities. Yet, the determinants of parasite composition in natural communities are still obscure. In particular, three fundamental questions remain open: (1) what are the relative roles of host and environmental characteristics compared with direct interactions between parasites in determining the community composition of parasites? (2) do these determinants affect parasites belonging to the same guild and those belonging to different guilds in similar manners? and (3) can cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses work interchangeably in detecting community determinants? Our study was designed to answer these three questions in a natural community of rodents and their fleas, ticks, and two vector-borne bacteria. METHODS We sampled a natural population of Gerbillus andersoni rodents and their blood-associated parasites on two occasions. By combining path analysis and model selection approaches, we then explored multiple direct and indirect paths that connect (i) the environmental and host-related characteristics to the infection probability of a host by each of the four parasite species, and (ii) the infection probabilities of the four species by each other. RESULTS Our results suggest that the majority of paths shaping the blood-associated communities are indirect, mostly determined by host characteristics and not by interspecific interactions or environmental conditions. The exact effects of host characteristics on infection probability by a given parasite depend on its life history and on the method of sampling, in which the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods are complementary. CONCLUSIONS Despite the awareness of the need of ecological investigations into natural host-vector-parasite communities in light of the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases, we lack sampling methods that are both practical and reliable. Here we illustrated how comprehensive patterns can be revealed from observational data by applying path analysis and model selection approaches and combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. By employing this combined approach on blood-associated parasites, we were able to distinguish between direct and indirect effects and to predict the causal relationships between host-related characteristics and the parasite composition over time and space. We concluded that direct interactions within the community play only a minor role in determining community composition relative to host characteristics and the life history of the community members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Cohen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Monica Einav
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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Vasquez D, Willoughby A, Davis AK. Fighting while parasitized: can nematode infections affect the outcome of staged combat in beetles? PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121614. [PMID: 25830367 PMCID: PMC4382113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of non-lethal parasites may be felt most strongly when hosts engage in intense, energy-demanding behaviors. One such behavior is fighting with conspecifics, which is common among territorial animals, including many beetle species. We examined the effects of parasites on the fighting ability of a saproxylic beetle, the horned passalus (Odontotaenius disjunctus, Family: Passalidae), which is host to a non-lethal nematode, Chondronema passali. We pitted pairs of randomly-chosen (but equally-weighted) beetles against each other in a small arena and determined the winner and aggression level of fights. Then we examined beetles for the presence, and severity of nematode infections. There was a non-significant tendency (p = 0.065) for the frequency of wins, losses and draws to differ between beetles with and without C. passali; non-parasitized individuals (n = 104) won 47% of their fights while those with the parasite (n = 88) won 34%, a 13% difference in wins. The number of nematodes in a beetle affected the outcome of fights between infected and uninfected individuals in an unexpected fashion: fighting ability was lowest in beetles with the lowest (p = 0.033), not highest (p = 0.266), nematode burdens. Within-fight aggression was highest when both beetles were uninfected and lowest when both were infected (p = 0.034). Collectively, these results suggest the nematode parasite, C. passali, is associated with a modest reduction in fighting ability in horned passalus beetles, consistent with the idea that parasitized beetles have lower energy available for fighting. This study adds to a small but growing body of evidence showing how parasites negatively influence fighting behavior in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Vasquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, United States of America
| | - Anna Willoughby
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, United States of America
| | - Andrew K. Davis
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wood JR, Wilmshurst JM, Rawlence NJ, Bonner KI, Worthy TH, Kinsella JM, Cooper A. A megafauna's microfauna: gastrointestinal parasites of New Zealand's extinct moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes). PLoS One 2013; 8:e57315. [PMID: 23451203 PMCID: PMC3581471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We perform the first multidisciplinary study of parasites from an extinct megafaunal clade using coprolites from the New Zealand moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes). Ancient DNA and microscopic analyses of 84 coprolites deposited by four moa species (South Island giant moa, Dinornis robustus; little bush moa, Anomalopteryx didiformis; heavy-footed moa, Pachyornis elephantopus; and upland moa, Megalapteryx didinus) reveal an array of gastrointestinal parasites including coccidians (Cryptosporidium and members of the suborder Eimeriorina), nematodes (Heterakoidea, Trichostrongylidae, Trichinellidae) and a trematode (Echinostomida). Parasite eggs were most prevalent and diverse in coprolites from lowland sites, where multiple sympatric moa species occurred and host density was therefore probably higher. Morphological and phylogenetic evidence supports a possible vicariant Gondwanan origin for some of the moa parasites. The discovery of apparently host-specific parasite taxa suggests paleoparasitological studies of megafauna coprolites may provide useful case-studies of coextinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie R Wood
- Landcare Research, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand.
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Effect of suboptimal environment and host age on helminth community of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-012-0681-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Koprivnikar J, Marcogliese DJ, Rohr JR, Orlofske SA, Raffel TR, Johnson PTJ. Macroparasite infections of amphibians: what can they tell us? ECOHEALTH 2012; 9:342-360. [PMID: 22810498 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-012-0785-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding linkages between environmental changes and disease emergence in human and wildlife populations represents one of the greatest challenges to ecologists and parasitologists. While there is considerable interest in drivers of amphibian microparasite infections and the resulting consequences, comparatively little research has addressed such questions for amphibian macroparasites. What work has been done in this area has largely focused on nematodes of the genus Rhabdias and on two genera of trematodes (Ribeiroia and Echinostoma). Here, we provide a synopsis of amphibian macroparasites, explore how macroparasites may affect amphibian hosts and populations, and evaluate the significance of these parasites in larger community and ecosystem contexts. In addition, we consider environmental influences on amphibian-macroparasite interactions by exploring contemporary ecological factors known or hypothesized to affect patterns of infection. While some macroparasites of amphibians have direct negative effects on individual hosts, no studies have explicitly examined whether such infections can affect amphibian populations. Moreover, due to their complex life cycles and varying degrees of host specificity, amphibian macroparasites have rich potential as bioindicators of environmental modifications, especially providing insights into changes in food webs. Because of their documented pathologies and value as bioindicators, we emphasize the need for broader investigation of this understudied group, noting that ecological drivers affecting these parasites may also influence disease patterns in other aquatic fauna.
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Skirnisson K, Thorarinsdottir ST, Nielsen OK. The Parasite Fauna of Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in Iceland: Prevalence, Intensity, and Distribution Within the Host Population. COMP PARASITOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1654/4481.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Turner WC, Versfeld WD, Kilian JW, Getz WM. Synergistic effects of seasonal rainfall, parasites and demography on fluctuations in springbok body condition. J Anim Ecol 2011; 81:58-69. [PMID: 21831195 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2011.01892.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
1. Seasonality of rainfall can exert a strong influence on animal condition and on host-parasite interactions. The body condition of ruminants fluctuates seasonally in response to changes in energy requirements, foraging patterns and resource availability, and seasonal variation in parasite infections may further alter ruminant body condition. 2. This study disentangles the effects of rainfall and gastrointestinal parasite infections on springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) body condition and determines how these factors vary among demographic groups. 3. Using data from four years and three study areas, we investigated (i) the influence of rainfall variation, demographic factors and parasite interactions on parasite prevalence or infection intensity, (ii) whether parasitism or rainfall is a more important predictor of springbok body condition and (iii) how parasitism and condition vary among study areas along a rainfall gradient. 4. We found that increased parasite intensity is associated with reduced body condition only for adult females. For all other demographic groups, body condition was significantly related to prior rainfall and not to parasitism. Rainfall lagged by two months had a positive effect on body condition. 5. Adult females showed evidence of a 'periparturient rise' in parasite intensity and had higher parasite intensity and lower body condition than adult males after parturition and during early lactation. After juveniles were weaned, adult females had lower parasite intensity than adult males. Sex differences in parasitism and condition may be due to differences between adult females and males in the seasonal timing of reproductive effort and its effects on host immunity, as well as documented sex differences in vulnerability to predation. 6. Our results highlight that parasites and the environment can synergistically affect host populations, but that these interactions might be masked by their interwoven relationships, their differential impacts on demographic groups, and the different time-scales at which they operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy C Turner
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California, Berkeley, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA.
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Body G, Ferté H, Gaillard JM, Delorme D, Klein F, Gilot-Fromont E. Population density and phenotypic attributes influence the level of nematode parasitism in roe deer. Oecologia 2011; 167:635-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Pedersen ÅØ, Asmyhr L, Pedersen HC, Eide NE. Nest-predator prevalence along a mountain birch - alpine tundra ecotone. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Nest predation is a major factor influencing life history and population dynamics of ground-nesting birds. The transitions between the northern boreal mountain birch forests and the low-alpine tundra are important habitats for the willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758). During the past decades, these landscapes have been extensively developed with cabin resorts in southern Norway, which has led to an increased number of roads and foot paths in relatively undisturbed habitats. Aims The aim of the present study was to investigate relative nest-predation rates in elevation gradients (ecotones) spanning from northern boreal mountain birch forests to low-alpine tundra in three locations with contrasting willow ptarmigan densities. Methods We conducted an artificial nest study by using baited track boards (n = 108). Track boards were placed along transects (200 m) in the following three habitat types: birch forest, edge habitat and low-alpine tundra. Predator prevalence was analysed in relation to study-design variables (location, habitat, study period) and the load of human infrastructure (i.e. distance to foot paths and roads), using generalised linear mixed-effect models assuming binomial distribution for the response variable. Key results Prevalence of avian predators was consistently high (range 38.2–85.3%), in contrast to much lower prevalence of mammalian predators (range 2.8–22.9%). Raven (Corvus corax) was the dominant nest predator, followed by hooded crow (C. cornix) and pine marten (Martes martes). Location, as contrasted by differences in willow ptarmigan density, was not significantly related to total relative predation rates. Species-specific predator prevalence was habitat specific and related to human infrastructure, but with opposite relative predation patterns between pine marten and raven. Hooded crow predation was similar across the ecotone and not related to human infrastructure. Conclusions Predator prevalence was habitat specific and affected by human infrastructure (distance to human foot paths). Our study confirmed that human activity might alter the predation rates by generalist species in these low-alpine environments. Implications We recommend that attractive willow ptarmigan habitat should be avoided when planning human infrastructure in alpine ecosystems. To reduce predation pressure in this ecosystem, it appears that generalist predators should be considered for management actions. Further research is needed to explain the underlying mechanism driving expansion of generalist species into alpine habitats. Such knowledge is also important in developing alternative management actions with focus other than predator control.
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Vandegrift KJ, Hudson PJ. Could parasites destabilize mouse populations? The potential role of Pterygodermatites peromysci in the population dynamics of free-living mice, Peromyscus leucopus. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:1253-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 02/20/2009] [Accepted: 02/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Bordes F, Morand S, Ricardo G. Bat fly species richness in Neotropical bats: correlations with host ecology and host brain. Oecologia 2008; 158:109-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-008-1115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Accepted: 07/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Thomas JG, Pauli JN, Donadio E, Buskirk SW. Soboliphyme baturini infection does not affect the nutritional condition of American marten (Martes americana) in Alaska. J Parasitol 2008; 94:1435-6. [PMID: 18576861 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1581.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2008] [Accepted: 04/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Soboliphyme baturini, a stomach-dwelling nematode of American martens (Martes Americana), reaches high levels of infection; however, its effects on the nutritional condition of the host are unknown. To understand the effects of this parasite on American martens, we collected S. baturini and measured abdominal fat deposits from 155 marten carcasses on Prince of Wales Island, southeastern Alaska, in the winter 2006-2007. We analyzed how the dried mass of abdominal fat varied as a function of S. baturini intensity. Parasite intensity and nutritional condition were not correlated; these results suggest that American martens were able to withstand even very high levels of S. baturini infection (up to 178 parasites per host).
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Thomas
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
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Holmstad PR, Jensen KH, Skorping A. Ectoparasite intensities are correlated with endoparasite infection loads in willow ptarmigan. OIKOS 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2008.16219.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fenner AL, Smales LR, Bull CM. Pharyngodon wandillahensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the Endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis Peters, 1863 (Sauria: Scincidae), South Australia, Australia. COMP PARASITOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1654/4316.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Bryja J, Charbonnel N, Berthier K, Galan M, Cosson JF. Density-related changes in selection pattern for major histocompatibility complex genes in fluctuating populations of voles. Mol Ecol 2007; 16:5084-97. [PMID: 17956550 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2007.03584.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions are of particular interest in studies of the interplay between population dynamics and natural selection. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes of demographically fluctuating species are highly suitable markers for such studies, because they are involved in initiating the immune response against pathogens and display a high level of adaptive genetic variation. We investigated whether two MHC class II genes (DQA1, DRB) were subjected to contemporary selection during increases in the density of fossorial water vole (Arvicola terrestris) populations, by comparing the neutral genetic structure of seven populations with that estimated from MHC genes. Tests for heterozygosity excess indicated that DQA1 was subject to intense balancing selection. No such selection operated on neutral markers. This pattern of selection became more marked with increasing abundance. In the low-abundance phase, when populations were geographically isolated, both overall differentiation and isolation-by-distance were more marked for MHC genes than for neutral markers. Model-based simulations identified DQA1 as an outlier (i.e. under selection) in a single population, suggesting the action of local selection in fragmented populations. The differences between MHC and neutral markers gradually disappeared with increasing effective migration between sites. In the high-abundance year, DQA1 displayed significantly lower levels of overall differentiation than the neutral markers. This gene therefore displayed stronger homogenization than observed under drift and migration alone. The observed signs of selection were much weaker for DRB. Spatial and temporal fluctuations in parasite pressure and locus-specific selection are probably the most plausible mechanisms underlying the observed changes in selection pattern during the demographic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bryja
- Centre de Biologie et Gestion des Populations (UMR 22), INRA, Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, 34988 Montferrier sur Lez Cedex, France.
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Holmstad PR, Jensen KH, Skorping A. Vector-borne parasites decrease host mobility: A field test of freeze or flee behaviour of willow ptarmigan. Int J Parasitol 2006; 36:735-40. [PMID: 16696980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2005] [Revised: 01/05/2006] [Accepted: 02/22/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Transmission mode has been suggested to be a strong predictor of virulence. According to theory, the transmission of vector-borne parasites should be less dependent on host mobility than directly transmitted parasites. This could select for increased exploitation of host resources in parasites transmitted by vectors, which may be manifested as higher virulence. Here, we test the prediction that there is an association between transmission mode and the effect on host mobility by comparing parasite infection levels and mobility in willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus L.). We examined the endoparasite infracommunities of individual hosts to obtain annual, quantitative data on four vector-transmitted species (Leucocytozoon lovati, Trypanosoma avium, Haemoproteus mansoni and microfilaria), two directly transmitted species (Trichostrongylus tenuis and Eimeria sp.) and two species with indirect life cycles (Hymenolepis microps and Parionella urogalli). We then used observed variations in freeze-or-flee responses of individual willow ptarmigan to assess whether parasite intensities were related to scored freezing responses. From a field data set covering a period of 9 years from a single area, we found that stronger freezing responses were associated with higher intensities of vector-borne parasites, especially with higher intensities of the haemosporidian L. lovati. Freezing responses were not associated with parasites transmitted in other ways. Thus, high intensities of vector-borne parasites tended to reduce host movements, while parasites with other transmission modes did not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per R Holmstad
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Realfagbygget, Allègaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway.
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Hawlena H, Khokhlova IS, Abramsky Z, Krasnov BR. Age, intensity of infestation by flea parasites and body mass loss in a rodent host. Parasitology 2006; 133:187-93. [PMID: 16677443 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182006000308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2006] [Revised: 03/12/2006] [Accepted: 03/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Parasitism by the flea Synosternus cleopatrae does not affect the body mass of its principal rodent host, Gerbillus andersoni under natural infestation levels. We hypothesized that the lack of negative effects of flea parasitism on rodent body mass could be related either to the low level of natural infestation or to the differential susceptibility of rodent age cohorts to flea parasitism. We tested these hypotheses by measuring body mass change under flea parasitism in (a) adult rodents infested with fleas above the natural infestation level (the first hypothesis) and (b) juvenile rodents infested with fleas at natural infestation levels (the second hypothesis). Adult individuals parasitized by a number of fleas higher than in nature lost body mass at higher rates than non-parasitized control individuals. Parasitism significantly affected daily body mass change of juvenile gerbils. Juvenile rodents parasitized by fleas at the natural level of infestation lost body mass faster and gained body mass slower than control animals. We suggest that some regulating mechanisms may limit natural flea densities at a point at which the negative effect on hosts is below the accuracy of our measurements. However, natural flea densities are sufficiently high to harm the more susceptible, juvenile cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hawlena
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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37
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Koenig A, Borries C, Doran-Sheehy DM, Janson CH. How important are affiliation and cooperation? A reply to Sussman et al. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2006; 131:522-3; discussion 524. [PMID: 16883567 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Koenig
- Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA.
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