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Ibrahim MM, Baghdadi HB, Shahin K, Abdel-Glil M, Thabit H, Attia MM, Abdelsalam M. Dasyrhynchus giganteus plerocercoids encysting in the musculature of Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei): seasonal prevalence, morpho-molecular characterization, and histopathological alterations. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:332. [PMID: 39039589 PMCID: PMC11265158 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04156-y] [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: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence, morphology, molecular identification, and histopathological effects of larval tapeworms (plerocercoids) infecting the skeletal muscles of the Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei) collected from the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf. Numerous oval or round blastocysts, measuring 13-26 mm, were found embedded within the muscular tissues of the Indian halibut, rendering the fish unsuitable for human consumption. Morphological and molecular analyses identified the plerocercoids as Dasyrhynchus giganteus (family Dasyrhynchidae), with an overall prevalence of 15.4%. The seasonal prevalence was the highest in summer (14.6%), followed by spring (10.6%), winter (4.4%), and autumn (3.5%). Infection rates increased with fish size. Histopathological examination revealed fibrous connective tissue capsules surrounding the larvae, causing muscular atrophy and degenerative changes, with few inflammatory eosinophilic cells. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA gene sequences confirmed the specimens as D. giganteus, clustered closely with other sequences of D. giganteus with 100% bootstrap values. This study provided valuable insights into the parasitic infection dynamics, seasonal variation, molecular identification, and histopathological effects, highlighting the importance of monitoring fish for food safety and public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa M Ibrahim
- Department of Pathology, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, 12618, Egypt
| | - Hanadi B Baghdadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Shahin
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, NIOF, 101 Kasr El Ainy St, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Abdel-Glil
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia, 44511, Egypt
| | - Hasnaa Thabit
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Attia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Abdelsalam
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
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Palomba M, Marchiori E, Tedesco P, Fioravanti M, Marcer F, Gustinelli A, Aco-Alburqueque R, Belli B, Canestrelli D, Santoro M, Cipriani P, Mattiucci S. An update and ecological perspective on certain sentinel helminth endoparasites within the Mediterranean Sea. Parasitology 2023; 150:1139-1157. [PMID: 37942726 PMCID: PMC10941224 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000951] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a marine biodiversity hotspot. This enclosed basin is facing several anthropogenic-driven threats, such as seawater warming, pollution, overfishing, bycatch, intense maritime transport and invasion by alien species. The present review focuses on the diversity and ecology of specific marine trophically transmitted helminth endoparasites (TTHs) of the Mediterranean ecosystems, aiming to elucidate their potential effectiveness as ‘sentinels’ of anthropogenic disturbances in the marine environment. The chosen TTHs comprise cestodes and nematodes sharing complex life cycles, involving organisms from coastal and marine mid/upper-trophic levels as definitive hosts. Anthropogenic disturbances directly impacting the free-living stages of the parasites and their host population demographies can significantly alter the distribution, infection levels and intraspecific genetic variability of these TTHs. Estimating these parameters in TTHs can provide valuable information to assess the stability of marine trophic food webs. Changes in the distribution of particular TTHs species can also serve as indicators of sea temperature variations in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the bioaccumulation of pollutants. The contribution of the chosen TTHs to monitor anthropogenic-driven changes in the Mediterranean Sea, using their measurable attributes at both spatial and temporal scales, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Perla Tedesco
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Fioravanti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Gustinelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renato Aco-Alburqueque
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Canestrelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Cipriani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Section of Contaminants and Biohazards, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Pegoraro de Macedo MR, Palomba M, Santoro M. The Current State of Knowledge on Parasitic Copepods (Siphonostomatoida: Pandaridae) of Elasmobranchs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2023; 26:475-509. [PMID: 36965882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Elasmobranch fishes comprise sharks and sawfish (infraclass Selachii), and rays, skates, and stingrays (infraclass Batoidea). Many elasmobranch species are popular fish exhibited in zoos and public aquariums. They may serve as hosts for a great variety of parasites. Among these, parasitic copepods are commonly known to cause serious damage to their hosts. In this paper, we summarize and analyse the existing literature on the pandarid copepods (Siphonostomatoida Burmeister, 1835) of elasmobranch fishes, as it relates to their diversity, life cycles, host-specificity, biogeography, pathology, and available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale n 1, Naples 80121, Italy.
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Ramilo A, Abollo E, Pascual S. Molecular characterization of Maccallumtrema xiphiados (Trematoda: Azygiida) and Molicola sp. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) infecting commercial frozen slices of Atlantic swordfish. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 389:110103. [PMID: 36724602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Muscle gross lesions, associated to parasites, were routinely found during self-inspection in a Spanish fish plant processing Atlantic swordfish. To determine the taxonomic status of these parasites, molecular analysis was performed based on 18S, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequences, obtaining a consensus sequences of 4581 bp for the cestode and 4200 bp for the trematode. Taxonomic affiliation was determined by phylogenetic analysis of combined SSU + LSU rDNA regions using maximum likelihood models. Molecular characterization allows us to identify the trematode Maccallumtrema xiphiados and the cestode Molicola sp. infecting the musculature of the Atlantic swordfish. Both parasites are responsible of significant economic loss to fish industry due to commercial rejection of parasitized products.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ramilo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, IIM-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.
| | - E Abollo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, IIM-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - S Pascual
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, IIM-CSIC, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
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Population Genetic Structure of Anisakis simplex Infecting the European Hake from North East Atlantic Fishing Grounds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020197. [PMID: 36670737 PMCID: PMC9854729 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The European hake, one of the most commercially valuable species in ICES fishing areas, is considered an important neglected source of zoonotic risk by nematode parasites belonging to the genus Anisakis. Merluccius merluccius is, by far, the most important host of Anisakis spp. at the European fishing grounds, in terms of demographic infection values, and carries the highest parasite burden. These high parasite population densities within an individual fish host offer a chance to explore new sources of variations for the genetic structure of Anisakis spp. populations. A total of 873 Anisakis spp. third-stage larvae, originally sampled from viscera and muscular sections of hake collected at ten fishing grounds, were primarily identified using ITS rDNA region as molecular marker. After that, we used mtDNA cox2 gene to reveal the high haplotype diversity and the lack of genetic structure for A. simplex. Dominant haplotypes were shared among the different fishing areas and fish sections analyzed. Results indicate a clear connection of A. simplex from European hake along the Northern North Sea to the Portuguese coast, constituting a single genetic population but revealing a certain level of genetic sub-structuring on the Northwest coast of Scotland. This study also provides useful information to advance the understanding of parasite speciation to different fish host tissues or microenvironments.
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Santoro M, Bellisario B, Fernández-Álvarez FÁ, Crocetta F, Palomba M. Parasites and prey of the nursehound shark Scyliorhinus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758): Insights into hidden trophic web interactions in the Mediterranean Sea. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:271-280. [PMID: 36278782 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15259] [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: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The metazoan parasite community and the stomach contents of the nursehound shark Scyliorhinus stellaris from the Gulf of Naples (central Mediterranean Sea) were studied. The nursehound shark harboured a poor parasite community composed of a species of gill monogenean (Hexabothrium appendiculatum) and three intestinal cestode taxa (Acanthobothrium coronatum and two unidentified species of the genera Yamaguticestus and Scyphophyllidium), all represented by adult stages. Hosts were mostly parasitized by individuals of A. coronatum, which was the most abundant species and contributed to almost 80% of the total number of parasites found. Conversely, other trophically transmitted parasites (i.e., Yamaguticestus sp. and Scyphophyllidium sp.) showed low prevalence and abundance. The parasite infracommunity was poor, showing low values of species richness, total mean abundance, and diversity indices. Overall, 52 prey items belonging to 13 taxa were identified in the stomach contents. Cephalopods were the most important prey items (represented by nine taxa) and the most diverse and abundant group. In the multivariate space provided by a principal component of mixed data (PCAmix), nursehound sharks distributed along two main axes, related to individual traits (first axis) and stomach contents (including empty ones, second axis). A logistic regression based on the first two axes of the PCAmix showed a significant influence of host individual traits and, to a lesser extent, of stomach contents, regarding the probability of being infected by A. coronatum. Alongside specific traits already associated with parasites transmission, our results highlight the importance of cephalopods in transferring cestode infections through trophic web interactions in the top-predator nursehound shark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Bellisario
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Viterbo, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Santoro M, Palomba M, Aco Alburqueque R, Mattiucci S. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals Molicola uncinatus and Gymnorhynchus gigas (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) Coinfection in the Atlantic Pomfret Brama brama From the Mediterranean Sea, With Notes on the Phylogenetic Position of G. gigas Within the Family Gymnorhynchidae. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:909163. [PMID: 35782558 PMCID: PMC9249017 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.909163] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cestode family Gymnorhynchidae Dollfus, 1935 (Trypanorhyncha) comprises three genera and six valid species that are typically intestinal parasites of large pelagic sharks. Members of Gymnorhynchidae show a wide geographic distribution and represent a global sanitary concern because as larvae they infect the edible flesh of several commercially important fishes with some species having allergenic potential. Larval Gymnorhynchidae collected from the muscles of the Atlantic pomfret Brama brama from various localities in the Mediterranean Sea were identified and characterized by combining traditional morphology, scanning electronic microscopy, and molecular analyses using newly generated nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA sequences. Overall, 98 larvae were collected from 20 (100%) Atlantic pomfrets (intensity of infection: 4.9; range: 1–12). High-quality sequences were obtained for 54 larvae. Of these, 11 and 43 larvae were identified as Molicola uncinatus and Gymnorhynchus gigas, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of three main clades within Gymnorhynchidae. The first included species of G. gigas and M. uncinatus from the Mediterranean and Atlantic; the second and third major clades included an unidentified species of Molicola from the Indian Ocean and specimens of Gymnorhynchus isuri from the Mediterranean and Atlantic, respectively. Finally, Chimaerarhynchus rougetae was the basal and most diverging taxon. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that G. gigas is more closely related to the members of Molicola. We demonstrated the coinfection of M. uncinatus and G. gigas from all localities studied and extended the intermediate hosts and geographical range of M. uncinatus by including the Atlantic pomfret and the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, respectively. The present results supported the previous proposal that G. gigas and Molicola species should be included in the same genus. Our study demonstrated the usefulness of the integrative taxonomy for the unequivocal recognition of larval trypanorhynch species, resolving the current difficulties in the taxonomy, and elucidating the poorly known ecological and biological aspects of members of Gymnorhynchidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Mario Santoro
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Renato Aco Alburqueque
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Santoro M, Bellisario B, Tanduo V, Crocetta F, Palomba M. Drivers of parasite communities in three sympatric benthic sharks in the Gulf of Naples (central Mediterranean Sea). Sci Rep 2022; 12:9969. [PMID: 35705658 PMCID: PMC9200773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14024-0] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharks play a key role in the functioning of marine ecosystems and maintenance of trophic web balance, including life cycles of parasites co-occurring in their habitats. We investigated the structure of parasite communities of three sympatric shark species (Etmopterus spinax, Galeus melastomus, and Scyliorhinus canicula) and explored both the influence of host features in shaping the communities and their role as biological indicators of environment stability in the Gulf of Naples (central Mediterranean Sea), a geographical area characterized by strong anthropic pressure. Parasites found were all trophic transmitted helminths with a complex life cycle, except Lernaeopoda galei, that is a ecto-parasite copepod. Communities were all similarly impoverished with 4–5 component species and low values of species richness and diversity. Higher abundance of cestode larvae of the genus Grillotia was found in G. melastomus, although their dominance in all host species suggests that the three sharks have a similar role as intermediate/paratenic hosts in local food webs. Similarly, high abundance of Grillotia larvae could also suggest the occurrence of high abundance of largest top predators in the area. Host morphological (fork length in S. canicula and G. melastomus and body condition index in G. melastomus) and physiological (sex and gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices in S. canicula) variables were differently correlated to parasite community structures depending by host species. Potential reasons for the present impoverished parasite communities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy.
| | - Bruno Bellisario
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via San Camillo de Lellis Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Valentina Tanduo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
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Proteomic Profiling and In Silico Characterization of the Secretome of Anisakis simplex Sensu Stricto L3 Larvae. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020246. [PMID: 35215189 PMCID: PMC8879239 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) L3 larvae are one of the major etiological factors of human anisakiasis, which is one of the most important foodborne parasitic diseases. Nevertheless, to date, Anisakis secretome proteins, with important functions in nematode pathogenicity and host-parasite interactions, have not been extensively explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and characterize the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins of A. simplex L3 larvae. ES proteins of A. simplex were subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, and the identified proteins were then analyzed using bioinformatics tools. A total of 158 proteins were detected. Detailed bioinformatic characterization of ES proteins was performed, including Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, identification of enzymes, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis, protein family classification, secretory pathway prediction, and detection of essential proteins. Furthermore, of all detected ES proteins, 1 was identified as an allergen, which was Ani s 4, and 18 were potential allergens, most of which were homologs of nematode and arthropod allergens. Nine potential pathogenicity-related proteins were predicted, which were predominantly homologs of chaperones. In addition, predicted host-parasite interactions between the Anisakis ES proteins and both human and fish proteins were identified. In conclusion, this study represents the first global analysis of Anisakis ES proteins. The findings provide a better understanding of survival and invasion strategies of A. simplex L3 larvae.
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Santoro M, Bellisario B, Crocetta F, Degli Uberti B, Palomba M. A molecular and ecological study of Grillotia (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) larval infection in small to mid-sized benthonic sharks in the Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13744-13755. [PMID: 34707814 PMCID: PMC8525172 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Trypanorhyncha cestodes comprise a wide range of heteroxenous parasites infecting elasmobranchs as definitive hosts. Limited data exist on the larval infection of these cestodes and the role of intermediate and paratenic hosts in the life cycle of these parasites. We investigated the factors that determine the occurrence and the level of infection of Grillotia plerocerci in the skeletal muscles of various benthonic sharks and analyzed the parasites through an integrative taxonomic approach. LOCATION Mediterranean Sea. METHODS Sharks obtained as bycatch of commercial trawling activities (i.e., Etmopterus spinax, Galeus melastomus, and Scyliorhinus canicula) were used in this study. Data from a limited number of Dalatias licha and Scyliorhinus stellaris were also included. Grillotia plerocerci were molecularly characterized using the partial 28S large subunit rDNA. Boosted regression trees were used to model the relationship between the abundance of infection with both morphological and physiological predictors in each host. RESULTS Plerocerci of Grillotia were detected in all shark species except S. stellaris. Host species significantly differed in terms of parasite abundance, with the highest and lowest prevalence and abundance of infection detected in G. melastomus and E. spinax, respectively. The relative influence of the traits involved in explaining the parasite abundance was related to the host size in G. melastomus, while both morphology- and physiology-related traits explained the patterns observed in E. spinax and S. canicula. The 28S rDNA sequences shared an identity of ∼99.40% with a Grillotia species previously found in the Mediterranean Sea. At intraspecific level, two different genotypes were found. A first type was retrieved only from D. licha, whereas a second type was found in G. melastomus, E. spinax, and S. canicula. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Present results suggest that the two genotypes could be involved in different consumer-resource systems and confirm most of the examined shark species as transport hosts of Grillotia species for unknown larger top predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
| | - Bruno Bellisario
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (DAFNE)University of ViterboViterboItaly
| | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
| | - Barbara Degli Uberti
- Department of Animal HealthIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del MezzogiornoPorticiItaly
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Integrative Marine EcologyStazione Zoologica Anton DohrnNaplesItaly
- Department of Public Health and Infectious DiseasesSection of ParasitologySapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
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11
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Santoro M, Palomba M, Gili C, Marcer F, Marchiori E, Mattiucci S. Molecular and morphological characterization of Bolbosoma balaenae (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae), a neglected intestinal parasite of the fin whale Balaenoptera physalus. Parasitology 2021; 148:1293-1302. [PMID: 34100350 PMCID: PMC11010206 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Post-mortem examination of a fin whale Balaenoptera physalus stranded in the Mediterranean Sea led to the finding of Bolbosoma balaenae for the first time in this basin. In this work, we describe new structural characteristics of this parasite using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy approaches. Moreover, the molecular and phylogenetic data as inferred from both ribosomal RNA 18S-28S and the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (cox1) for adult specimens of B. balaenae are also reported for the first time. Details of the surface topography such as proboscis's hooks, trunked trunk spines of the prebulbar foretrunk, ultrastructure of proboscis's hooks and micropores of the tegument are shown. The 18S + 28S rRNA Bayesian tree (BI) as inferred from the phylogenetic analysis showed poorly resolved relationships among the species of Bolbosoma. In contrast, the combined 18S + 28S + mtDNA cox1 BI tree topology showed that the present sequences clustered with the species of Bolbosoma in a well-supported clade. The comparison of cox1 and 18S sequences revealed that the present specimens are conspecific with the cystacanths of B. balaenae previously collected in the euphausiid Nyctiphanes couchii from the North Eastern Atlantic Ocean. This study provided taxonomic, molecular and phylogenetic data that allow for a better characterization of this poor known parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121Naples, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121Naples, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Gili
- Department of Animal Welfare and Care, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 1, 80121Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185Rome, Italy
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Morphological updates, host-specificity, molecular data and phylogenetic analysis of Acanthobothrium coronatum (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea), a neglected parasite of the nursehound Scyliorhinus stellaris. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105023. [PMID: 34371161 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Acanthobothrium is the most speciose genus of onchoproteocephalidean cestodes, whose adults parasitize the intestine of elasmobranch fishes. Acanthobothrium coronatum, the type species of the genus described from Mediterranean elasmobranchs, remains a little known parasite, with the most recent reports dating back to the fifties. We hereby investigate host-specificity and redescribe A. coronatum from the same locality of its original description by using light and scanning electron microscopy approaches. Moreover, molecular and phylogenetic data inferred from the analysis of the 28S rDNA gene are reported for the first time. Out of the nine elasmobranch species examined from Gulf of Naples, we only detected A. coronatum in the intestine of Scyliorhinus stellaris, with infection patterns that supports evident host-specificity for this shark species. The genetic characterization of 28S rDNA showed 99.8-100% similarity with larvae previously found in Octopus vulgaris from the same area investigated here. Conspecificity between the present material and the larvae found in the octopus was also confirmed by the tree topology. The host-parasite phylogeny is discussed, even if additional molecular data are needed to clarify potential host-parasite patterns. Notwithstanding this limitation, this is the first molecular study revealing conspecificity between an adult Acanthobothrium species from a shark and the larvae found in an intermediate/paratenic host, shedding light on the transmission pathway of A. coronatum in S. stellaris. Finally, the taxonomic, molecular, and phylogenetic data presented here allow a better characterization of a neglected parasite.
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Palomba M, Santoro M, Alburqueque RA, Cipriani P, Mattiucci S. First molecular detection of the parasites Molicola uncinatus and Hepatoxylon trichiuri (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) infecting the silver scabbardfish Lepidopus caudatus from the Central Mediterranean Sea: Implications for the seafood quality and safety. Food Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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