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Hendrick GC, Nicholson MD, Pagan JA, Artim JM, Dolan MC, Sikkel PC. Blood meal identification reveals extremely broad host range and host-bias in a temporary ectoparasite of coral reef fishes. Oecologia 2023; 203:349-360. [PMID: 37951847 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05468-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Appreciation for the role of cryptofauna in ecological systems has increased dramatically over the past decade. The impacts blood-feeding arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitos, have on terrestrial communities are the subject of hundreds of papers annually. However, blood-feeding arthropods have been largely ignored in marine environments. Gnathiid isopods, often referred to as "ticks of the sea", are temporary external parasites of fishes. They are found in all marine environments and have many consequential impacts on host fitness. Because they are highly mobile and only associated with their hosts while obtaining a blood meal, their broader trophic connections are difficult to discern. Conventional methods rely heavily on detecting gnathiids on wild-caught fishes. However, this approach typically yields few gnathiids and does not account for hosts that avoid capture. To overcome this limitation, we sequenced blood meals of free-living gnathiids collected in light traps to assess the host range and community-dependent exploitation of Caribbean gnathiid isopods. Using fish-specific COI (cox1) primers, sequencing individual blood meals from 1060 gnathiids resulted in the identification of 70 host fish species from 27 families. Comparisons of fish assemblages to blood meal identification frequencies at four collection sites indicated that fishes within the families Haemulidae (grunts) and Lutjanidae (snappers) were exploited more frequently than expected based on their biomass, and Labrid parrotfishes were exploited less frequently than expected. The broad host range along with the biased exploitation of diel-migratory species has important implications for the role gnathiid isopods play in Caribbean coral reef communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina C Hendrick
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Matthew D Nicholson
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - J Andres Pagan
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, CIBIO - Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - John M Artim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, USA
| | - Maureen C Dolan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, USA
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, USA
| | - Paul C Sikkel
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
- Water Research Group, Unit of Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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Shodipo MO, Sikkel PC, Smit NJ, Hadfield KA. First record and molecular characterisation of two Gnathia species (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from Philippine coral reefs, including a summary of all Central-Indo Pacific Gnathia species. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 14:355-367. [PMID: 33898237 PMCID: PMC8056128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Due to their unusual life cycle that includes parasitic larval and free living adult stages, gnathiid isopods are typically overlooked in biodiversity surveys, even those that focus on parasites. While the Philippines sits within the region of highest marine biodiversity in the world, the coral triangle, no gnathiid species have been identified or described from that region. Here we present the first records of two gnathiid species collected from the Visayas, central Philippines: Gnathia malaysiensis Müller, 1993, previously described from Malaysia, and G. camuripenis Tanaka, 2004, previously described from southern Japan. This paper provides detailed morphological redescriptions, drawings and scanning electron microscope images as well as the first molecular characterisation of both species, Furthermore, a summary of the Central-Indo Pacific Gnathia species is provided. Morphological description of two gnathiid species collected from the central Philippines, along with molecular data, are presented. Gnathia malaysiensis was previously described from Malaysia and G. camuripenis was previously described from southern Japan. Although the Philippines is in the highly biodiverse coral triangle, this is the first gnathiid description from this region. The wide geographic range of G. camuripenis suggests dispersal via large, highly mobile fishes, and/or tropical cyclones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary O Shodipo
- Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, 6200, Negros Oriental, Philippines
| | - 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, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Nico J Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Kerry A Hadfield
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
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Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12010037. [PMID: 33418885 PMCID: PMC7825046 DOI: 10.3390/insects12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The ability to identify the source of vertebrate blood in mosquitoes, ticks, and other blood-feeding arthropod vectors greatly enhances our knowledge of how vector-borne pathogens are spread. The source of the bloodmeal is identified by analyzing the remnants of blood remaining in the arthropod at the time of capture, though this is often fraught with challenges. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification with a focus on progress made in the field over the past decade. We highlight genome regions that can be used to identify the vertebrate source of arthropod bloodmeals as well as technological advances made in other fields that have introduced innovative new ways to identify vertebrate meal source based on unique properties of the DNA sequence, protein signatures, or residual molecules present in the blood. Additionally, engineering progress in miniaturization has led to a number of field-deployable technologies that bring the laboratory directly to the arthropods at the site of collection. Although many of these advancements have helped to address the technical challenges of the past, the challenge of successfully analyzing degraded DNA in bloodmeals remains to be solved. Abstract Understanding vertebrate–vector interactions is vitally important for understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens and depends on the ability to accurately identify the vertebrate source of blood-engorged arthropods in field collections using molecular methods. A decade ago, molecular techniques being applied to arthropod blood meal identification were thoroughly reviewed, but there have been significant advancements in the techniques and technologies available since that time. This review highlights the available diagnostic markers in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and discusses their benefits and shortcomings for use in molecular identification assays. Advances in real-time PCR, high resolution melting analysis, digital PCR, next generation sequencing, microsphere assays, mass spectrometry, and stable isotope analysis each offer novel approaches and advantages to bloodmeal analysis that have gained traction in the field. New, field-forward technologies and platforms have also come into use that offer promising solutions for point-of-care and remote field deployment for rapid bloodmeal source identification. Some of the lessons learned over the last decade, particularly in the fields of DNA barcoding and sequence analysis, are discussed. Though many advancements have been made, technical challenges remain concerning the prevention of sample degradation both by the arthropod before the sample has been obtained and during storage. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification and reviews how advances in molecular technology over the past decade have been applied in this unique biomedical context.
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Artim JM, Nicholson MD, Hendrick GC, Brandt M, Smith TB, Sikkel PC. Abundance of a cryptic generalist parasite reflects degradation of an ecosystem. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John M. Artim
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Sciences Arkansas State University Jonesboro Arkansas72467USA
| | - Matthew D. Nicholson
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Sciences Arkansas State University Jonesboro Arkansas72467USA
| | - Gina C. Hendrick
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Sciences Arkansas State University Jonesboro Arkansas72467USA
| | - Marilyn Brandt
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas US Virgin Islands 00802 USA
| | - Tyler B. Smith
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas US Virgin Islands 00802 USA
| | - Paul C. Sikkel
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Sciences Arkansas State University Jonesboro Arkansas72467USA
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom2520South Africa
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Vondriska C, Dixson DL, Packard AJ, Sikkel PC. Differentially susceptible host fishes exhibit similar chemo-attractiveness to a common coral reef Ectoparasite. Symbiosis 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-020-00700-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Grutter AS, Feeney WE, Hutson KS, McClure EC, Narvaez P, Smit NJ, Sun D, Sikkel PC. Practical methods for culturing parasitic gnathiid isopods. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:825-837. [PMID: 32505649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The reliance of parasites on their hosts makes host-parasite interactions ideal models for exploring ecological and evolutionary processes. By providing a consistent supply of parasites, in vivo monocultures offer the opportunity to conduct experiments on a scale that is generally not otherwise possible. Gnathiid isopods are common ectoparasites of marine fishes, and are becoming an increasing focus of research attention due to their experimental amenability and ecological importance as ubiquitous, harmful, blood-feeding "mosquito-like" organisms. They feed on hosts once during each of their three juvenile stages, and after each feeding event they return to the benthos to digest and moult to the next stage. Adults do not feed and remain in the benthos, where they reproduce and give birth. Here, we provide methods of culturing gnathiids, and highlight ways in which gnathiids can be used to examine parasite-host-environment interactions. Captive-raised gnathiid juveniles are increasingly being used in parasitological research; however, the methodology for establishing gnathiid monocultures is still not widely known. Information to obtain in vivo monocultures on teleost fish is detailed for a Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and a Caribbean Sea (US Virgin Islands) gnathiid species, and gnathiid information gained over two decades of successfully maintaining continuous cultures is summarised. Providing a suitable benthic habitat for the predominantly benthic free-living stage of this parasite is paramount. Maintenance comprises provision of adequate benthic shelter, managing parasite populations, and sustaining host health. For the first time, we also measured gnathiids' apparent attack speed (maximum 24.5 cm sec-1; 6.9, 4.9/17.0, median, 25th/75th quantiles) and illustrate how to collect such fast moving ectoparasites in captivity for experiments. In addition to providing details pertaining to culture maintenance, we review research using gnathiid cultures that have enabled detailed scientific understanding of host and parasite biology, behaviour and ecology on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra S Grutter
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - William E Feeney
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia; Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Kate S Hutson
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax St East, Nelson 7010 New Zealand; Centre for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 1 University Drive, Townsville, Australia
| | - Eva C McClure
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pauline Narvaez
- Centre for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 1 University Drive, Townsville, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
| | - Nico J Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Derek Sun
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Paul C Sikkel
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, State University, AR 72467, USA
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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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