The role of chemosensory behavior of Symbiodinium microadriaticum, intermediate hosts, and host behavior in the infection of coelenterates and molluscs with zooxanthellae

1984 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Fitt
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Host Behavior ◽  
Symbiodinium Microadriaticum ◽  
Chemosensory Behavior

scholarly journals Molecular detection of cattle Sarcocystis spp. in North-West Italy highlights their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Rubiola ◽  
Tiziana Civera ◽  
Felice Panebianco ◽  
Davide Vercellino ◽  
Francesco Chiesa
Keyword(s):  
18S Rdna ◽  
Inflammatory Myopathy ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Slaughter Cattle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Abstract Background Cattle are intermediate hosts of six Sarcocystis species, among which Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In addition to the zoonotic potential, there is increasing interest in these protozoa because of the evidence supporting the role of Sarcocystis spp. in the occurrence of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM), a specific inflammatory myopathy which leads to carcass condemnation and considerable economic losses. Actually, all the prevalence studies carried out on cattle in Italy have been based on either morphological or 18S rDNA-based molecular techniques, most likely leading to misidentification of closely related species. Therefore, there is a strong need for new data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy and their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis. Methods To reach our aim, individual striated muscle samples from BEM condemned carcasses (N = 54) and diaphragm muscle samples from randomly sampled carcasses (N = 59) were obtained from Northwest Italy slaughterhouses. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by multiplex-PCR targeting 18S rDNA and cox1 genes. PCR products amplified using the genus-specific primer set in absence of the specific fragment for S. hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis or S. bovifelis were sequenced to achieve species identification. Results Sarcocystis DNA was detected in 67.8% of the samples from slaughter cattle and in 90.7% of the samples from BEM condemned carcasses. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in slaughter cattle (61%), followed by S. bovifelis (10.2%), S. hominis (8.5%) and S. hirsuta (1.7%). Notably, among the different Sarcocystis spp. detected, the presence of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was significantly higher in samples isolated from BEM condemned carcasses (46.3% and 40.7% respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of S. cruzi or S. hirsuta in BEM condemned carcasses (42.6% and 1.8%, respectively) and randomly sampled carcasses. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of a putative new species in two carcasses. Conclusions Our study contributes to updating the data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy, highlighting the presence of three Sarcocystis spp., S. cruzi, S. hominis and S. bovifelis, in BEM lesions and allowing us to speculate on the possible role of S. hominis and S. bovifelis as the major sarcosporidian species involved in bovine eosinophilic myositis. Graphic Abstract

Polychaetes as Intermediate Hosts of Helminth Parasites of Vertebrates: A Review

1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1385-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Aquatic Vertebrates

The role of polychaetes as intermediate hosts of helminth parasites of aquatic vertebrates is reviewed. Some 18–20 species of trematodes and three or four each of cestodes and nematodes are known to have larval stages in these annelids. There are no records of acanthocephalan larvae from polychaetes. Trematoda use polychaetes as first (three species) or second intermediate hosts. The polychaete hosts are found among various genera of Errantia, Sedentaria, and Myzostomida. Definitive hosts are mainly fishes, with a few species of trematodes and one of cestodes developing in birds, and apparently one genus of nematodes (two species) maturing in the lungs of seals. A list of polychaetes and their larval helminth parasites is given.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of static and fluctuating ocean acidification on the behavior of Amphiprion percula

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Vaughan ◽  
Danielle L. Dixson
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Amphiprion Percula ◽  
Behavioral Abnormalities ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Ground Truthing ◽  
Chemosensory Behavior ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCoral reef organisms are exposed to both an increasing magnitude of pCO2, and natural fluctuations on a diel scale. For coral reef fishes, one of the most profound effects of ocean acidification is the impact on ecologically important behaviors. Previous behavioral research has primarily been conducted under static pCO2 conditions and have recently come under criticism. Recent studies have provided evidence that the negative impacts on behavior may be reduced under more environmentally realistic, fluctuating conditions. We investigated the impact of both present and future day, static (500 and 1000 μatm) and diel fluctuating (500 ± 200 and 1000 ± 200 μatm) pCO2 on the lateralization and chemosensory behavior of juvenile anemonefish, Amphiprion percula. Our static experimental comparisons support previous findings that under elevated pCO2, fish become un-lateralized and lose the ability to discriminate olfactory cues. Diel-fluctuating pCO2 may aid in mitigating the severity of some behavioral abnormalities such as the chemosensory response, where a preference for predator cues was significantly reduced under a future diel-fluctuating pCO2 regime. This research aids in ground truthing earlier findings and contributes to our growing knowledge of the role of fluctuating conditions.

Extraintestinal Acanthocephalan Oncicola venezuelensis (Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Small Indian Mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) and African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-798
Author(s):  
Anne A. M. J. Becker ◽  
Sreekumari Rajeev ◽  
Mark A. Freeman ◽  
Amy Beierschmitt ◽  
Victoria Savinon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Chlorocebus Aethiops ◽  
Herpestes Auropunctatus ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
Green Monkeys ◽  
Small Indian Mongoose

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.

Parasitic fauna of a yellow-legged gull colony in the island of Escombreras (South-eastern Mediterranean) in close proximity to a landfill site: potential effects on cohabiting species

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Hervías Parejo ◽  
Carlos Martínez-Carrasco ◽  
Julia I. Diaz ◽  
Lidia Chitimia ◽  
Juana Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Helminth Community ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasitic Fauna ◽  
Waste Landfill ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Larus Michahellis ◽  
Fishery Discards

AbstractWe identified the ectoparasites and helminth fauna of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis michahellis), breeding near to a solid waste landfill, and compared infection levels with those of other yellow-legged gull colonies. Moreover, we analysed correlations between parasites and sex and body condition of yellow-legged gulls, co-infections and the helminth community structure in order to propose the role of this species as reservoir of certain parasites. We also discuss the potential transmission of parasites between the yellow-legged gull and the endangered Audouin’s gull, because interactions between these two species, such as kleptoparasitism and predation, occur frequently around colonies. The following species were recorded: Ornithodorus capensis (Arthropoda); Cosmocephalus obvelatus, Paracuaria adunca, Eucoleus contortus, Tetrameres skrjabini and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda); Tetrabothrius cylindraceus (Cestoda); Acanthotrema armata, Cardiocephaloides longicollis and Ornithobilharzia intermedia (Digenea). Tetrabothrius cylindraceus, A. armata and O. capensis are new parasite records for this host. The dependence of yellow-legged-gulls on fishery discards is supported by the dominance of parasites transmitted through marine intermediate hosts with interest to fisheries in the study area. However, the shift in diet from natural resources to food derived from human activities seems not to affect the parasitic fauna of yellow-legged gull. Besides of direct physical contact between individuals in nesting and resting habitats, the high availability of fishery discards could increase the risk of Audouin’s gulls to be infected by common parasites of yellow-legged gull.

scholarly journals Carotenoid-based colour of acanthocephalan cystacanths plays no role in host manipulation

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1654) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Kaldonski ◽  
Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ◽  
Raphaël Dodet ◽  
Guillaume Martinaud ◽  
Frank Cézilly
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Selective Predation ◽  
Trophic Transmission ◽  
Pomphorhynchus Laevis ◽  
Fish Predators ◽  
Yellow Orange ◽  
Behavioural Alteration ◽  
Orange Spot

Manipulation by parasites is a catchy concept that has been applied to a large range of phenotypic alterations brought about by parasites in their hosts. It has, for instance, been suggested that the carotenoid-based colour of acanthocephalan cystacanths is adaptive through increasing the conspicuousness of infected intermediate hosts and, hence, their vulnerability to appropriate final hosts such as fish predators. We revisited the evidence in favour of adaptive coloration of acanthocephalan parasites in relation to increased trophic transmission using the crustacean amphipod Gammarus pulex and two species of acanthocephalans, Pomphorhynchus laevis and Polymorphus minutus . Both species show carotenoid-based colorations, but rely, respectively, on freshwater fish and aquatic bird species as final hosts. In addition, the two parasites differ in the type of behavioural alteration brought to their common intermediate host. Pomphorhynchus laevis reverses negative phototaxis in G. pulex , whereas P. minutus reverses positive geotaxis. In aquaria, trout showed selective predation for P. laevis -infected gammarids, whereas P. minutus -infected ones did not differ from uninfected controls in their vulnerability to predation. We tested for an effect of parasite coloration on increased trophic transmission by painting a yellow–orange spot on the cuticle of uninfected gammarids and by masking the yellow–orange spot of infected individuals with inconspicuous brown paint. To enhance realism, match of colour between painted mimics and true parasite was carefully checked using a spectrometer. We found no evidence for a role of parasite coloration in the increased vulnerability of gammarids to predation by trout. Painted mimics did not differ from control uninfected gammarids in their vulnerability to predation by trout. In addition, covering the place through which the parasite was visible did not reduce the vulnerability of infected gammarids to predation by trout. We discuss alternative evolutionary explanations for the origin and maintenance of carotenoid-based colorations in acanthocephalan parasites.

scholarly journals Host-microbiome coevolution promotes cooperation in a rock-paper-scissor dynamic

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ohad Lewin-Epstein ◽  
Lilach Hadany
Keyword(s):  
Computational Modeling ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Evolution Of Cooperation ◽  
Host Behavior ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Forms Of Life ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractCooperation is a fundamental behavior observed in all forms of life. The evolution of cooperation has been widely studied, but almost all theories focused on the cooperating individual and its genes. We suggest a different approach, taking into account the microbes carried by the interacting individuals. Accumulating evidence reveal that microbes can affect their host wellbeing and behavior, yet hosts can evolve mechanisms to resist the manipulations of their microbes. We thus propose that coevolution of microbes with their hosts may favor microbes that induce their host to cooperate. Using computational modeling, we show that microbe-induced cooperation can evolve and be maintained in a wide range of conditions, including when facing hosts’ resistance to the microbial effect. We find that host-microbe coevolution leads the population to a rock-paper-scissors dynamic, that enables maintenance of cooperation in a polymorphic state. This theory may help explain occurrences of cooperation in a wide variety of organisms, including in cases that are difficult to explain by current theories. In addition, this study provides a new perspective on the coevolution of hosts and their microbiome, emphasizing the potential role of microbes in shaping their host behavior.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic: current knowledge about the role of pets and other animals in disease transmission

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Kiros ◽  
Henok Andualem ◽  
Teklehaimanot Kiros ◽  
Wasihun Hailemichael ◽  
Sisay Getu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), a disease caused by a pathogen called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pandemic. This ongoing pandemic has now been reported in 215 countries with more than 23 million confirmed cases and more than 803 thousand deaths worldwide as of August 22, 2020. Although efforts are undergoing, there is no approved vaccine or any specific antiretroviral drug to treat COVID-19 so far. It is now known that SARS-CoV-2 can affect not only humans but also pets and other domestic and wild animals, making it a one health global problem. Several published scientific evidence has shown that bats are the initial reservoir hosts of SARS-CoV-2, and pangolins are suggested as an intermediate hosts. So far, little is known concerning the role of pets and other animals in the transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, updated knowledge about the potential role of pets in the current outbreak will be of paramount importance for effective prevention and control of the disease. This review summarized the current evidence about the role of pets and other animals in the transmission of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Do self-fertilization and genetic drift promote a very low genetic variability in the allotetraploid Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) populations?

1993 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flobert Njiokou ◽  
Christian Bellec ◽  
Patrick Berrebi ◽  
Bernard Delay ◽  
Philippe Jarne
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Drift ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Bulinus Truncatus ◽  
Genetic Structure Of Populations ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
High Gene ◽  
Almost All

SummaryBulinus truncatus, one of the intermediate hosts of the genus Schistosoma is an hermaphrodite freshwater snail species occupying a variety of environments over almost all Africa. These environments are subjected to large variations in water availability. B. truncatus is allotetraploid and its populations exhibit various frequencies of aphallic individuals (unable to reproduce as male). Both traits probably favour a reproduction by self-fertilization. Here we investigate the genetic structure of populations of B. truncatus of Niger and Ivory Coast using protein electrophoresis to analyse the influence of the environment and of both the last traits. To obtain an estimate of the true heterozygosity in this allotetraploid species, we analyse independently the two diploid loci at each tetraploid locus. Our study indicates (i) an extremely low intrapopulation polymorphism with most alleles fixed and the total absence of heterozygotes and (ii) low differentiation between populations. These results indicate high gene flow between populations. However, the existence of private alleles sometimes at high frequency, the low polymorphism and the lack of heterozygotes point to the role of both genetic drift and self-fertilization, the second amplifying the genetic consequences of the first.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document