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Heins DC, Moody KN, Arostegui MC, Harmon BS, Blum MJ, Quinn TP. Distinct evolutionary lineages of Schistocephalus parasites infecting co-occurring sculpin and stickleback fishes in Alaska. Parasitology 2024; 151:626-633. [PMID: 38719483 PMCID: PMC11427964 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Sculpins (coastrange and slimy) and sticklebacks (ninespine and threespine) are widely distributed fishes cohabiting 2 south-central Alaskan lakes (Aleknagik and Iliamna), and all these species are parasitized by cryptic diphyllobothriidean cestodes in the genus Schistocephalus. The goal of this investigation was to test for host-specific parasitic relationships between sculpins and sticklebacks based upon morphological traits (segment counts) and sequence variation across the NADH1 gene. A total of 446 plerocercoids was examined. Large, significant differences in mean segment counts were found between cestodes in sculpin (mean = 112; standard deviation [s.d.] = 15) and stickleback (mean = 86; s.d. = 9) hosts within and between lakes. Nucleotide sequence divergence between parasites from sculpin and stickleback hosts was 20.5%, and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis recovered 2 well-supported clades of cestodes reflecting intermediate host family (i.e. sculpin, Cottidae vs stickleback, Gasterosteidae). Our findings point to the presence of a distinct lineage of cryptic Schistocephalus in sculpins from Aleknagik and Iliamna lakes that warrants further investigation to determine appropriate evolutionary and taxonomic recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Heins
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Kristine N Moody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Martin C Arostegui
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Brian S Harmon
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Michael J Blum
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
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2
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Fraser ML, Gray MA, Dobbs KDR, Andrews BI, Van De Reep S, Duffy MS. FIRST REPORTS OF LIGULA INTESTINALIS AND A SCHISTOCEPHALUS SP. INFECTING SMALL-BODIED FISH IN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA. J Parasitol 2023; 109:288-295. [PMID: 37458176 PMCID: PMC10658873 DOI: 10.1645/22-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing were used to identify plerocercoids of a Schistocephalus sp. infecting slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) from northern New Brunswick and plerocercoids of Ligula intestinalis infecting blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) in Fundy National Park (FNP, New Brunswick). To our knowledge, no previous publications documented either cestode from New Brunswick, Canada. Blacknose dace represent a new host record for L. intestinalis. Identifications were made based on the presence or absence of segmentation and sequencing partial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1; mitochondrial DNA) and/or partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI; mitochondrial DNA). Plerocercoids from blacknose dace in FNP were identified as Ligula intestinalis based on >99% nucleotide identity with COI for this species in the NCBI GenBank database. Plerocercoids in slimy sculpin from northern New Brunswick were identified as a Schistocephalus sp. based on high nucleotide identity with congenerics in the NCBI GenBank database. The absence of GenBank entries with sufficient high percent identity to our specimens, and potential species hybrids in this genus, prevents species-level identification of Schistocephalus sp. plerocercoids currently. The absence of previous documentation of these cestodes might reflect recent environmental change promoting the transmission of these parasites that can modulate host fish behavior, induce sterility of host fishes, and contribute to epizootics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Fraser
- Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
| | - Michelle A. Gray
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
- Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
| | - Kerstyn D. R. Dobbs
- Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
| | - Ben I. Andrews
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
- Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 4L5
| | - Sarah Van De Reep
- Parks Canada, Fundy National Park, Alma, New Brunswick, Canada E4H 1B4
| | - Michael S. Duffy
- Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
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3
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Thorn CS, Maness RW, Hulke JM, Delmore KE, Criscione CD. Population genomics of helminth parasites. J Helminthol 2023; 97:e29. [PMID: 36927601 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Next generation sequencing technologies have facilitated a shift from a few targeted loci in population genetic studies to whole genome approaches. Here, we review the types of questions and inferences regarding the population biology and evolution of parasitic helminths being addressed within the field of population genomics. Topics include parabiome, hybridization, population structure, loci under selection and linkage mapping. We highlight various advances, and note the current trends in the field, particularly a focus on human-related parasites despite the inherent biodiversity of helminth species. We conclude by advocating for a broader application of population genomics to reflect the taxonomic and life history breadth displayed by helminth parasites. As such, our basic knowledge about helminth population biology and evolution would be enhanced while the diversity of helminths in itself would facilitate population genomic comparative studies to address broader ecological and evolutionary concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Thorn
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - R W Maness
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - J M Hulke
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - K E Delmore
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - C D Criscione
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, 3258 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Berger DJ, Léger E, Sankaranarayanan G, Sène M, Diouf ND, Rabone M, Emery A, Allan F, Cotton JA, Berriman M, Webster JP. Genomic evidence of contemporary hybridization between Schistosoma species. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010706. [PMID: 35939508 PMCID: PMC9387932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization between different species of parasites is increasingly being recognised as a major public and veterinary health concern at the interface of infectious diseases biology, evolution, epidemiology and ultimately control. Recent research has revealed that viable hybrids and introgressed lineages between Schistosoma spp. are prevalent across Africa and beyond, including those with zoonotic potential. However, it remains unclear whether these hybrid lineages represent recent hybridization events, suggesting hybridization is ongoing, and/or whether they represent introgressed lineages derived from ancient hybridization events. In human schistosomiasis, investigation is hampered by the inaccessibility of adult-stage worms due to their intravascular location, an issue which can be circumvented by post-mortem of livestock at abattoirs for Schistosoma spp. of known zoonotic potential. To characterise the composition of naturally-occurring schistosome hybrids, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 21 natural livestock infective schistosome isolates. To facilitate this, we also assembled a de novo chromosomal-scale draft assembly of Schistosoma curassoni. Genomic analyses identified isolates of S. bovis, S. curassoni and hybrids between the two species, all of which were early generation hybrids with multiple generations found within the same host. These results show that hybridization is an ongoing process within natural populations with the potential to further challenge elimination efforts against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J. Berger
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elsa Léger
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mariama Sène
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Agronomiques, d’Aquaculture et de Technologies Alimentaires, Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
| | - Nicolas D. Diouf
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Agronomiques, d’Aquaculture et de Technologies Alimentaires, Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
| | - Muriel Rabone
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Emery
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
- Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Marine Laboratory, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Context-dependent parasite infection affects trophic niche in populations of sympatric stickleback species. Parasitology 2022; 149:1164-1172. [PMID: 35570701 PMCID: PMC10090597 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
How parasites alter host feeding ecology remains elusive in natural populations. A powerful approach to investigate the link between infection and feeding ecology is quantifying unique and shared responses to parasite infection in related host species within a common environment. Here, 9 pairs of sympatric populations of the three-spined and nine-spined stickleback fishes were sampled across a range of freshwater and brackish habitats to investigate how parasites alter host feeding ecology: (i) biotic and abiotic determinants of parasite community composition, and (ii) to what extent parasite infection correlates with trophic niche specialization of the 2 species, using stable isotope analyses (δ15N and δ13C). It was determined that parasite community composition and host parasite load varied among sites and species and were correlated with dissolved oxygen. It was also observed that the digenean Cyathocotyle sp.'s abundance, a common directly infecting parasite with a complex life cycle, correlated with host δ13C in a fish species-specific manner. In 6 sites, correlations were found between parasite abundance and their hosts' feeding ecology. These effects were location-specific and occasionally host species or host size-specific. Overall, the results suggest a relationship between parasite infection and host trophic niche which may be an important and largely overlooked ecological factor. The population specificity and variation in parasite communities also suggest this effect is multifarious and context-dependent.
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6
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How cunning is the puppet-master? Cestode-infected fish appear generally fearless. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1305-1315. [PMID: 35307765 PMCID: PMC8993785 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trophically transmitted parasites have life cycles that require the infected host to be eaten by the correct type of predator. Such parasites should benefit from an ability to suppress the host’s fear of predators, but if the manipulation is imprecise the consequence may be increased predation by non-hosts, to the detriment of the parasite. Three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) infected by the cestode Schistocephalus solidus express reduced antipredator behaviours, but it is unknown whether this is an example of a highly precise manipulation, a more general manipulation, or if it can even be attributed to mere side effects of disease. In a series of experiments, we investigated several behaviours of infected and uninfected sticklebacks. As expected, they had weak responses to simulated predatory attacks compared to uninfected fish. However, our results suggest that the parasite induced a general fearlessness, rather than a precise manipulation aimed at the correct predators (birds). Infected fish had reduced responses also when attacked from the side and when exposed to odour from a fish predator, which is a “dead-end” for this parasite. We also tested whether the reduced anti-predator behaviours were mere symptoms of a decreased overall vigour, or due to parasite-induced hunger, but we found no support for these ideas. We propose that even imprecise manipulations of anti-predator behaviours may benefit parasites, for example, if other behaviours are altered in a way that increases the exposure to the correct predator.
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7
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Konczal M, Przesmycka KJ, Mohammed RS, Hahn C, Cable J, Radwan J. Expansion of frozen hybrids in the guppy ectoparasite, Gyrodactylus turnbulli. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:1005-1016. [PMID: 33345416 PMCID: PMC7986700 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hybridization is one of the major factors contributing to the emergence of highly successful parasites. Hybrid vigour can play an important role in this process, but subsequent rounds of recombination in the hybrid population may dilute its effects. Increased fitness of hybrids can, however, be frozen by asexual reproduction. Here, we identify invasion of a 'frozen hybrid' genotype in natural populations of Gyrodactylus turnbulli, a facultatively sexual ectoparasitic flatworm that causes significant damage to its fish host. We resequenced genomes of these parasites infecting guppies from six Trinidad and Tobago populations, and found surprisingly high discrepancy in genome-wide nucleotide diversity between islands. The elevated heterozygosity on Tobago is maintained by predominantly clonal reproduction of hybrids formed from two diverged genomes. Hybridization has been followed by spread of the hybrids across the island, implying a selective advantage compared with native genotypes. Our results thus highlight that a single outcrossing event may be independently sufficient to cause pathogen expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Konczal
- Faculty of BiologyEvolutionary Biology GroupAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznańPoland
| | | | - Ryan S. Mohammed
- Department of Life SciencesFaculty of Science and TechnologyThe University of the West Indies Zoology Museum, UWISt. AugustineTrinidad and Tobago
- School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | | | - Jo Cable
- School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Jacek Radwan
- Faculty of BiologyEvolutionary Biology GroupAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznańPoland
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Singh P, Ballmer DN, Laubscher M, Schärer L. Successful mating and hybridisation in two closely related flatworm species despite significant differences in reproductive morphology and behaviour. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12830. [PMID: 32732887 PMCID: PMC7393371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69767-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive traits are some of the fastest diverging characters and can serve as reproductive barriers. The free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano, and its congener M. janickei are closely related, but differ substantially in their male intromittent organ (stylet) morphology. Here, we examine whether these morphological differences are accompanied by differences in behavioural traits, and whether these could represent barriers to successful mating and hybridization between the two species. Our data shows that the two species differ in many aspects of their mating behaviour. Despite these differences, the species mate readily with each other in heterospecific pairings. Although both species have similar fecundity in conspecific pairings, the heterospecific pairings revealed clear postmating barriers, as few heterospecific pairings produced F1 hybrids. These hybrids had a stylet morphology that was intermediate between that of the parental species, and they were fertile. Finally, using a mate choice experiment, we show that the nearly two-fold higher mating rate of M. lignano caused it to mate more with conspecifics, leading to assortative mating, while M. janickei ended up mating more with heterospecifics. Thus, while the two species can hybridize, the mating rate differences could possibly lead to higher fitness costs for M. janickei compared to M. lignano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Singh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel N Ballmer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Max Laubscher
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Schärer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
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9
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Weak population structure and recent demographic expansion of the monogenean parasite Kapentagyrus spp. infecting clupeid fishes of Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:471-486. [PMID: 32277985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lake Tanganyika, East Africa, is the oldest and deepest African Great Lake and harbours one of the most diverse fish assemblages on earth. Two clupeid fishes, Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae, constitute a major part of the total fish catch, making them indispensable for local food security. Parasites have been proposed as indicators of stock structure in highly mobile pelagic hosts. We examined the monogeneans Kapentagyrus limnotrissae and Kapentagyrus tanganicanus (Dactylogyridae) infecting these clupeids to explore the parasites' lake-wide population structure and patterns of demographic history. Samples were collected at seven sites distributed across three sub-basins of the lake. Intraspecific morphological variation of the monogeneans (n = 380) was analysed using morphometrics and geomorphometrics of sclerotised structures. Genetic population structure of both parasite species (n = 246) was assessed based on a 415 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Overall, we observed a lack of clear geographical morphological differentiation in both parasites along a north-south axis. This lack of geographical population structure was also reflected by a large proportion of shared haplotypes, and a pattern of seemingly unrestricted gene flow between populations. Significant morphological and genetic differentiation between some populations might reflect temporal differentiation rather than geographical isolation. Overall, the shallow population structure of both species of Kapentagyrus reflects the near-panmictic population structure of both host species as previously reported. Morphological differences related to host species identity of K. tanganicanus were consistent with incipient speciation at the genetic level. Both parasite species experienced a recent demographic expansion, which might be linked to paleohydrological events. Finally, interspecific hybridisation was found in Kapentagyrus, representing the first case in dactylogyrid monogeneans.
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10
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Betson M, Alonte AJI, Ancog RC, Aquino AMO, Belizario VY, Bordado AMD, Clark J, Corales MCG, Dacuma MG, Divina BP, Dixon MA, Gourley SA, Jimenez JRD, Jones BP, Manalo SMP, Prada JM, van Vliet AHM, Whatley KCL, Paller VGV. Zoonotic transmission of intestinal helminths in southeast Asia: Implications for control and elimination. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 108:47-131. [PMID: 32291086 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal helminths are extremely widespread and highly prevalent infections of humans, particularly in rural and poor urban areas of low and middle-income countries. These parasites have chronic and often insidious effects on human health and child development including abdominal problems, anaemia, stunting and wasting. Certain animals play a fundamental role in the transmission of many intestinal helminths to humans. However, the contribution of zoonotic transmission to the overall burden of human intestinal helminth infection and the relative importance of different animal reservoirs remains incomplete. Moreover, control programmes and transmission models for intestinal helminths often do not consider the role of zoonotic reservoirs of infection. Such reservoirs will become increasingly important as control is scaled up and there is a move towards interruption and even elimination of parasite transmission. With a focus on southeast Asia, and the Philippines in particular, this review summarises the major zoonotic intestinal helminths, risk factors for infection and highlights knowledge gaps related to their epidemiology and transmission. Various methodologies are discussed, including parasite genomics, mathematical modelling and socio-economic analysis, that could be employed to improve understanding of intestinal helminth spread, reservoir attribution and the burden associated with infection, as well as assess effectiveness of interventions. For sustainable control and ultimately elimination of intestinal helminths, there is a need to move beyond scheduled mass deworming and to consider animal and environmental reservoirs. A One Health approach to control of intestinal helminths is proposed, integrating interventions targeting humans, animals and the environment, including improved access to water, hygiene and sanitation. This will require coordination and collaboration across different sectors to achieve best health outcomes for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Betson
- University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Rico C Ancog
- University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Jessica Clark
- University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Billy P Divina
- University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Ben P Jones
- University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Hutson KS, Cable J, Grutter AS, Paziewska-Harris A, Barber I. Aquatic Parasite Cultures and Their Applications. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:1082-1096. [PMID: 30473011 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this era of unprecedented growth in aquaculture and trade, aquatic parasite cultures are essential to better understand emerging diseases and their implications for human and animal health. Yet culturing parasites presents multiple challenges, arising from their complex, often multihost life cycles, multiple developmental stages, variable generation times and reproductive modes. Furthermore, the essential environmental requirements of most parasites remain enigmatic. Despite these inherent difficulties, in vivo and in vitro cultures are being developed for a small but growing number of aquatic pathogens. Expanding this resource will facilitate diagnostic capabilities and treatment trials, thus supporting the growth of sustainable aquatic commodities and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate S Hutson
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| | - Joanne Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Alexandra S Grutter
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Iain Barber
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, NG25 0QF, UK
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12
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Ritter M, Kalbe M, Henrich T. Virulence in the three-spined stickleback specific parasite Schistocephalus solidus is inherited additively. Exp Parasitol 2017; 180:133-140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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Cable J, Barber I, Boag B, Ellison AR, Morgan ER, Murray K, Pascoe EL, Sait SM, Wilson AJ, Booth M. Global change, parasite transmission and disease control: lessons from ecology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:20160088. [PMID: 28289256 PMCID: PMC5352815 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections are ubiquitous in wildlife, livestock and human populations, and healthy ecosystems are often parasite rich. Yet, their negative impacts can be extreme. Understanding how both anticipated and cryptic changes in a system might affect parasite transmission at an individual, local and global level is critical for sustainable control in humans and livestock. Here we highlight and synthesize evidence regarding potential effects of 'system changes' (both climatic and anthropogenic) on parasite transmission from wild host-parasite systems. Such information could inform more efficient and sustainable parasite control programmes in domestic animals or humans. Many examples from diverse terrestrial and aquatic natural systems show how abiotic and biotic factors affected by system changes can interact additively, multiplicatively or antagonistically to influence parasite transmission, including through altered habitat structure, biodiversity, host demographics and evolution. Despite this, few studies of managed systems explicitly consider these higher-order interactions, or the subsequent effects of parasite evolution, which can conceal or exaggerate measured impacts of control actions. We call for a more integrated approach to investigating transmission dynamics, which recognizes these complexities and makes use of new technologies for data capture and monitoring, and to support robust predictions of altered parasite dynamics in a rapidly changing world.This article is part of the themed issue 'Opening the black box: re-examining the ecology and evolution of parasite transmission'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Iain Barber
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Brian Boag
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Amy R Ellison
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Eric R Morgan
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Kris Murray
- Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Emily L Pascoe
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Centre for Research and Innovation, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 S. Michele all'Adige, Trentino, Italy
| | - Steven M Sait
- School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Anthony J Wilson
- Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Mark Booth
- School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Durham TS17 6BH, UK
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Hamley M, Franke F, Kurtz J, Scharsack JP. An experimental approach to the immuno-modulatory basis of host-parasite local adaptation in tapeworm-infected sticklebacks. Exp Parasitol 2017; 180:119-132. [PMID: 28322743 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionary arms race of hosts and parasites often results in adaptations, which may differ between populations. Investigation of such local adaptation becomes increasingly important to understand dynamics of host-parasite interactions and co-evolution. To this end we performed an infection experiment involving pairs of three-spined sticklebacks and their tapeworm parasite Schistocephalus solidus from three geographically separated origins (Germany, Spain and Iceland) in a fully-crossed design for sympatric and allopatric host/parasite combinations. We hypothesized that local adaptation of the hosts results in differences in parasite resistance with variation in parasite infection rates and leukocyte activation, whereas parasites from different origins might differ in virulence reflected in host exploitation rates (parasite indices) and S. solidus excretory-secretory products (SsESP) involved in immune manipulation. In our experimental infections, sticklebacks from Iceland were more resistant to S. solidus infection compared to Spanish and German sticklebacks. Higher resistance of Icelandic sticklebacks seemed to depend on adaptive immunity, whereas sticklebacks of German origin, which were more heavily afflicted by S. solidus, showed elevated activity of innate immune traits. German S. solidus were less successful in infecting and exploiting allopatric hosts compared to their Icelandic and Spanish conspecifics. Nevertheless, exclusively SsESP from German S. solidus triggered significant in vitro responses of leukocytes from naïve sticklebacks. Interestingly, parasite indices were almost identical across the sympatric combinations. Differences in host resistance and parasite virulence between the origins were most evident in allopatric combinations and were consistent within origin; i.e. Icelandic sticklebacks were more resistant and their S. solidus were more virulent in all allopatric combinations, whereas German sticklebacks were less resistant and their parasites less virulent. Despite such differences between origins, the degree of host exploitation was almost identical in the sympatric host-parasite combinations, suggesting that the local evolutionary arms race of hosts and parasites resulted in an optimal virulence, maximising parasite fitness while avoiding host overexploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Hamley
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Frederik Franke
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Joachim Kurtz
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Jörn Peter Scharsack
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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15
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Weber JN, Kalbe M, Shim KC, Erin NI, Steinel NC, Ma L, Bolnick DI. Resist Globally, Infect Locally: A Transcontinental Test of Adaptation by Stickleback and Their Tapeworm Parasite. Am Nat 2017; 189:43-57. [DOI: 10.1086/689597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Henrich T, Kalbe M. The role of prezygotic isolation mechanisms in the divergence of two parasite species. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:245. [PMID: 27829374 PMCID: PMC5103353 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0799-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The formation of reproductive barriers in diverging lineages is a prerequisite to complete speciation according to the biological species concept. In parasites with complex life cycles, speciation may be driven by adaptation to different intermediate hosts, yet diverging lineages can still share the same definitive host where reproduction takes place. In these cases, prezygotic isolation mechanisms should evolve very early and be particularly strong, preventing costly unfavourable matings. In this study, we investigated the importance of prezygotic barriers to reproduction in two cestode species that diverged 20-25mya and show an extraordinary degree of specificity to different intermediate hosts. Both species share the same definitive hosts and hybridize in the laboratory. Yet, natural hybrids have so far not been detected. METHODS We used a combination of different experiments to investigate the role of prezygotic barriers to reproduction in the speciation of these parasites. First, we investigated whether hybridization is possible under natural conditions by exposing lab-reared herring gulls (Larus argentatus, the definitive hosts) to both parasites of either sympatric or allopatric combinations. In a second experiment, we tested whether the parasites prefer conspecifics over parasites from a different species in dichotomous mate choice trials. RESULTS Our results show that the two species hybridize under natural conditions with parasites originating either from sympatric or allopatric populations producing hybrid offspring. Surprisingly, the mate choice experiment indicated that both parasite species prefer mates of the different species to conspecifics. CONCLUSIONS Neither fundamental constraints against hybridization in a natural host nor assortative mate choice sufficiently explain the persistent segregation of the two tapeworm species in nature. Hence, postzygotic ecological selection against hybrids is presumably the more important driving force limiting gene flow between the two parasite sister species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Henrich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary, Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
| | - Martin Kalbe
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary, Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
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17
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Scharsack JP, Franke F, Erin NI, Kuske A, Büscher J, Stolz H, Samonte IE, Kurtz J, Kalbe M. Effects of environmental variation on host–parasite interaction in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:375-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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18
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Benesh DP, Kalbe M. Experimental parasite community ecology: intraspecific variation in a large tapeworm affects community assembly. J Anim Ecol 2016; 85:1004-13. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Benesh
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology; August-Thienemann-Str. 2 24306 Plön Germany
- Marine Science Institute; University of California; Santa Barbara CA 93106-6150 USA
| | - Martin Kalbe
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology; August-Thienemann-Str. 2 24306 Plön Germany
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19
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Brunner FS, Eizaguirre C. Can environmental change affect host/parasite-mediated speciation? ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:384-94. [PMID: 27210289 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitism can be a driver of species divergence and thereby significantly alter species formation processes. While we still need to better understand how parasite-mediated speciation functions, it is even less clear how this process is affected by environmental change. Both rapid and gradual changes of the environment can modify host immune responses, parasite virulence and the specificity of their interactions. They will thereby change host-parasite evolutionary trajectories and the potential for speciation in both hosts and parasites. Here, we summarise mechanisms of host-parasite interactions affecting speciation and subsequently consider their susceptibility to environmental changes. We mainly focus on the effects of temperature change and nutrient input to ecosystems as they are major environmental stressors. There is evidence for both disruptive and accelerating effects of those pressures on speciation that seem to be context-dependent. A prerequisite for parasite-driven host speciation is that parasites significantly alter the host's Darwinian fitness. This can rapidly lead to divergent selection and genetic adaptation; however, it is likely preceded by more short-term plastic and transgenerational effects. Here, we also consider how these first responses and their susceptibility to environmental changes could lead to alterations of the species formation process and may provide alternative pathways to speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska S Brunner
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
| | - Christophe Eizaguirre
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
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20
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Kalbe M, Eizaguirre C, Scharsack JP, Jakobsen PJ. Reciprocal cross infection of sticklebacks with the diphyllobothriidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus reveals consistent population differences in parasite growth and host resistance. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:130. [PMID: 26951744 PMCID: PMC4782366 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1419-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In host-parasite evolutionary arms races, parasites are generally expected to adapt more rapidly, due to their large population sizes and short generation times. There exist systems, though, where parasites cannot outpace their hosts because of similar generation times in both antagonists. In those cases concomitant adaptation is expected. Methods We tested this hypothesis in the three-spined stickleback-Schistocephalus solidus tapeworm system, where generation times are comparable in both organisms. We chose two populations of sticklebacks which differ prominently in the prevalence of S. solidus and consequently in its level of selective pressure. We performed a full factorial common garden experiment. Particularly, Norwegian (NO) and German (DE) sticklebacks, as well as hybrids between both stickleback populations and in both parental combinations, were exposed each to a single S. solidus originating from the same two host populations. Results We found the infection phenotype to depend on the host population, the parasite population, but not their interaction. NO-parasites showed higher infectivity than DE-parasites, with NO-sticklebacks also being more resistant to DE-parasites than to the sympatric NO-parasite. Reciprocally, DE-hosts were more susceptible to the allopatric NO-parasite while DE-parasites grew less than NO-parasites in all stickleback groups. Despite this asymmetry, the ratio of worm to host weight, an indicator of parasite virulence, was identical in both sympatric combinations, suggesting an optimal virulence as a common outcome of parallel coevolved systems. In hybrid sticklebacks, intermediate infection rates and growth of S. solidus from either origin suggests a simple genetic basis of resistance. However, comparison of infection phenotypes in NO-maternal and DE-maternal hybrid sticklebacks indicates local adaptation to the sympatric counterpart in both the host and the parasite. Conclusions Host-parasite systems with similar generation time show evidence for concomitant reciprocal adaptation resulting in parasite optimal virulence and host parasite specific resistance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1419-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kalbe
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
| | - Christophe Eizaguirre
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany. .,School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Jörn P Scharsack
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany. .,Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Per J Jakobsen
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany. .,Institute for Biology, University of Bergen, Thor Møhlensgt. 55, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
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21
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Harmon BS, Hilborn R, Quinn TP. Infection by the cestode parasite Schistocephalus sp. and effects on diet, body condition and survival of sculpins Cottus aleuticus and Cottus cognatus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2015; 86:1621-1629. [PMID: 25809184 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Sampling in Iliamna Lake, Alaska, U.S.A. revealed that a greater proportion of coastrange sculpins Cottus aleuticus were infected by the cestode Schistocephalus solidus than slimy sculpins Cottus cognatus (52 v. 23%), and infected C. aleuticus contained more cestodes than did C. cognatus (2·1 v. 1·3 per fish). Consumption of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka eggs (the primary diet item) was lower in fishes with cestodes, and a model based on cestode prevalence and age composition estimated higher rates of infection and parasite-associated mortality in C. aleuticus compared with C. cognatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Harmon
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
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22
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Sprehn CG, Blum MJ, Quinn TP, Heins DC. Landscape genetics of Schistocephalus solidus parasites in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from Alaska. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122307. [PMID: 25874710 PMCID: PMC4395347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The nature of gene flow in parasites with complex life cycles is poorly understood, particularly when intermediate and definitive hosts have contrasting movement potential. We examined whether the fine-scale population genetic structure of the diphyllobothriidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus reflects the habits of intermediate threespine stickleback hosts or those of its definitive hosts, semi-aquatic piscivorous birds, to better understand complex host-parasite interactions. Seventeen lakes in the Cook Inlet region of south-central Alaska were sampled, including ten in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, five on the Kenai Peninsula, and two in the Bristol Bay drainage. We analyzed sequence variation across a 759 bp region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I region for 1,026 S. solidus individuals sampled from 2009-2012. We also analyzed allelic variation at 8 microsatellite loci for 1,243 individuals. Analysis of mtDNA haplotype and microsatellite genotype variation recovered evidence of significant population genetic structure within S. solidus. Host, location, and year were factors in structuring observed genetic variation. Pairwise measures revealed significant differentiation among lakes, including a pattern of isolation-by-distance. Bayesian analysis identified three distinct genotypic clusters in the study region, little admixture within hosts and lakes, and a shift in genotype frequencies over time. Evidence of fine-scale population structure in S. solidus indicates that movement of its vagile, definitive avian hosts has less influence on gene flow than expected based solely on movement potential. Observed patterns of genetic variation may reflect genetic drift, behaviors of definitive hosts that constrain dispersal, life history of intermediate hosts, and adaptive specificity of S. solidus to intermediate host genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Grace Sprehn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael J. Blum
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
- Tulane-Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
| | - Thomas P. Quinn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States of America
| | - David C. Heins
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
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23
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Weinreich F, Kalbe M, Benesh DP. Making the in vitro breeding of Schistocephalus solidus more flexible. Exp Parasitol 2014; 139:1-5. [PMID: 24560832 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Schistocephalus solidus is one of the few cestodes that can be bred in vitro. Worms have typically been bred in pairs, so the parents of each offspring can clearly be assigned. From a genetic perspective, it would be useful to be able to mate an individual worm to multiple partners while still being able to distinguish among different parents. As each adult S. solidus possesses numerous reproductive complexes, cutting worms and breeding the pieces separately would facilitate such breeding designs. We halved worms before in vitro breeding and evaluated whether this affected outcrossing rates and reproductive output. Cutting did not influence clutch mass, i.e. egg number and size, or outcrossing rates, but eggs from cut worms had a lower hatching rate than eggs from uncut worms. We found that when two anterior worm halves were bred together, they produced fewer, smaller eggs with higher hatching rates, compared to two posterior halves. Moreover, once we controlled for this effect of 'worm half', the two halves of an individual worm tended to reproduce similarly under comparable circumstances. We conclude that cutting plerocercoids increases the flexibility with which this tapeworm can be experimentally bred without dramatically affecting the production of viable, outcrossed eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Weinreich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Martin Kalbe
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Daniel P Benesh
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany.
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24
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Franke F, Rahn AK, Dittmar J, Erin N, Rieger JK, Haase D, Samonte-Padilla IE, Lange J, Jakobsen PJ, Hermida M, Fernández C, Kurtz J, Bakker TCM, Reusch TBH, Kalbe M, Scharsack JP. In vitro leukocyte response of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to helminth parasite antigens. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 36:130-140. [PMID: 24176687 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2013.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Helminth parasites of teleost fish have evolved strategies to evade and manipulate the immune responses of their hosts. Responsiveness of fish host immunity to helminth antigens may therefore vary depending on the degree of host-parasite counter-adaptation. Generalist parasites, infective for a number of host species, might be unable to adapt optimally to the immune system of a certain host species, while specialist parasites might display high levels of adaptation to a particular host species. The degree of adaptations may further differ between sympatric and allopatric host-parasite combinations. Here, we test these hypotheses by in vitro exposure of head kidney leukocytes from three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to antigens from parasites with a broad fish host range (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, Triaenophorus nodulosus), a specific fish parasite of cyprinids (Ligula intestinalis) and parasites highly specific only to a single fish species as second intermediate host (Schistocephalus pungitii, which does not infect G. aculeatus, and Schistocephalus solidus, infecting G. aculeatus). In vitro responses of stickleback leukocytes to S. solidus antigens from six European populations, with S. solidus prevalence from <1% to 66% were tested in a fully crossed experimental design. Leukocyte cultures were analysed by means of flow cytometry and a chemiluminescence assay to quantify respiratory burst activity. We detected decreasing magnitudes of in vitro responses to antigens from generalist to specialist parasites and among specialists, from parasites that do not infect G. aculeatus to a G. aculeatus-infecting species. Generalist parasites seem to maintain their ability to infect different host species at the costs of relatively higher immunogenicity compared to specialist parasites. In a comparison of sympatric and allopatric combinations of stickleback leukocytes and antigens from S. solidus, magnitudes of in vitro responses were dependent on the prevalence of the parasite in the population of origin, rather than on sympatry. Antigens from Norwegian (prevalence 30-50%) and Spanish (40-66%) S. solidus induced generally higher in vitro responses compared to S. solidus from two German (<1%) populations. Likewise, leukocytes from stickleback populations with a high S. solidus prevalence showed higher in vitro responses to S. solidus antigens compared to populations with low S. solidus prevalence. This suggests a rather low degree of local adaptation in S. solidus populations, which might be due to high gene flow among populations because of their extremely mobile final hosts, fish-eating birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Franke
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anna K Rahn
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Janine Dittmar
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Noémie Erin
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck Institute of Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann Str 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Jennifer K Rieger
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - David Haase
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Irene E Samonte-Padilla
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck Institute of Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann Str 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Joseph Lange
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Per J Jakobsen
- Institute for Biology, University of Bergen, Thor Møhlensgate 55, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Miguel Hermida
- Departamento de Xenetica, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Carlos Fernández
- Departamento de Xenetica, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Joachim Kurtz
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Theo C M Bakker
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thorsten B H Reusch
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Kalbe
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck Institute of Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann Str 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Jörn P Scharsack
- Department of Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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