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Arabesky V, Johnson AD, Rozenberg T, Lubin Y, Segoli M, Mowery MA. Maternal care thwarts parasitoids in the invasive brown widow spider ( Latrodectus geometricus). Proc Biol Sci 2025; 292:20242735. [PMID: 40328306 PMCID: PMC12055288 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2735] [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: 11/13/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2025] [Accepted: 03/27/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025] Open
Abstract
Maternal care can maximize offspring survival and may contribute to the establishment success of invasive species. The brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, is a successful invader worldwide. Here, we investigated the role of maternal care in enhancing its success. We compared the defence mechanisms of the invasive L. geometricus with those of another widow spider native to the Negev desert, Latrodectus pallidus, against an egg sac parasitoid wasp. Both spider species exhibited guarding behaviours following exposure to wasps; however, only L. geometricus efficiently evaded and successfully killed the parasitoid. Accordingly, its egg sacs were parasitized less frequently than those of L. pallidus. Next, we evaluated the defensive role of the silk spike-like structures on L. geometricus egg sacs. When spikes were removed from half of the egg sac surface, the wasps laid more eggs on the spike-free side. In an additional experiment, L. geometricus females increased spike density on subsequent egg sacs after exposure to the parasitoid. We showed that L. geometricus employs both behavioural defences and modifications to the egg sac structure to protect against the parasitoid. These defences may provide L. geometricus with an advantage over native species in its invasive range, potentially contributing to its invasion success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Arabesky
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- The Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Alfred Daniel Johnson
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tamir Rozenberg
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Monica A. Mowery
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev—Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Department of Biology, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
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Harman RR, Kim TN. Differentiating spillover: an examination of cross-habitat movement in ecology spillover in ecology. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232707. [PMID: 38351801 PMCID: PMC10865012 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms that immigrate into a recipient habitat generate a movement pattern that affects local population dynamics and the environment. Spillover is the pattern of unidirectional movement from a donor habitat to a different, adjacent recipient habitat. However, ecological definitions are often generalized to include any cross-habitat movement, which limits within- and cross-discipline collaboration. To assess spillover nomenclature, we reviewed 337 studies within the agriculture, disease, fisheries and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Each study's definition of spillover and the methods used were analysed. We identified four descriptors (movement, habitat type and arrangement, and effect) used that differentiate spillover from other cross-habitat movement patterns (dispersal, foray loops and edge movement). Studies often define spillover as movement (45%) but rarely measure it as such (4%), particularly in disease and habitat fragmentation disciplines. Consequently, 98% of studies could not distinguish linear from returning movement out of a donor habitat, which can overestimate movement distance. Overall, few studies (12%) included methods that matched their own definition, revealing a distinct mismatch. Because theory shows that long-term impacts of the different movement patterns can vary, differentiating spillover from other movement patterns is necessary for effective long-term and inter-disciplinary management of organisms that use heterogeneous landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Harman
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tania N. Kim
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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3
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Geraerts M, Huyse T, Barson M, Bassirou H, Bilong Bilong CF, Bitja Nyom AR, Manda AC, Cruz-Laufer AJ, Kabalika CK, Kasembele GK, Bukinga FM, Njom S, Van Steenberge M, Artois T, Vanhove MPM. Sharing is caring? Barcoding suggests co-introduction of dactylogyrid monogeneans with Nile tilapia and transfer towards native tilapias in sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:711-730. [PMID: 37414208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Invasive Nile tilapias negatively impact native tilapia species through hybridisation and competition. However, the co-introduction of parasites with Nile tilapia, and subsequent changes in parasite communities, are scarcely documented. Monogeneans are known pathogens of cultured Nile tilapia, although little is known about their fate once Nile tilapias establish in new ecosystems. We investigate the parasitological consequences of Nile tilapia introduction on native tilapias in basins in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Zimbabwe, focusing on ectoparasitic dactylogyrids (Monogenea). Using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) and nuclear 18S-internal transcribed spacer 1 (18S-ITS1) rDNA region of 128 and 166 worms, respectively, we evaluated transmission of several dactylogyrid species. Parasite spillover from Nile tilapia was detected for Cichlidogyrus tilapiae to Coptodon guineensis in Cameroon, Cichlidogyrus thurstonae to Oreochromis macrochir in the DRC, and Cichlidogyrus halli and C. tilapiae to Coptodon rendalli in Zimbabwe. Parasite spillback to Nile tilapia was detected for Cichlidogyrus papernastrema and Scutogyrus gravivaginus from Tilapia sparrmanii and Cichlidogyrus dossoui from C. rendalli or T. sparrmanii in the DRC, and Cichlidogyrus chloeae from Oreochromis cf. mortimeri and S. gravivaginus from O. macrochir in Zimbabwe. 'Hidden' transmissions (i.e. transmission of certain parasite lineages of species that are naturally present on both alien and native hosts) were detected for C. tilapiae and Scutogyrus longicornis between Nile tilapia and Oreochromis aureus and C. tilapiae between Nile tilapia and Oreochromis mweruensis in the DRC, and Cichlidogyrus sclerosus and C. tilapiae between Nile tilapia and O. cf. mortimeri in Zimbabwe. A high density of Nile tilapia occurring together with native tilapias, and the broad host range and/or environmental tolerance of the transmitted parasites, are proposed as factors behind parasite transmission through ecological fitting. However, continuous monitoring and the inclusion of environmental variables are necessary to understand the long-term consequences of these transmissions on native tilapias and to elucidate other underlying factors influencing these transmissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mare Geraerts
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maxwell Barson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; Lake Kariba Research Station, University of Zimbabwe, Kariba, Zimbabwe
| | - Hassan Bassirou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | | | - Arnold R Bitja Nyom
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon; Department of Management of Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Fisheries, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Auguste Chocha Manda
- Unité de Recherche en Biodiversité et Exploitation durable des Zones Humides (BEZHU), Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Armando J Cruz-Laufer
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Clément Kalombo Kabalika
- Unité de Recherche en Biodiversité et Exploitation durable des Zones Humides (BEZHU), Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gyrhaiss Kapepula Kasembele
- Unité de Recherche en Biodiversité et Exploitation durable des Zones Humides (BEZHU), Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Fidel Muterezi Bukinga
- Section de Parasitologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologie, Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Samuel Njom
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Maarten Van Steenberge
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Vertebrate Section, OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tom Artois
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maarten P M Vanhove
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Stanicka A, Szopieray K, Migdalski Ł, Kobak J. Friends or enemies: Multi-species interactions among biofoulers, endoparasites and their gastropod hosts. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:503-513. [PMID: 36519974 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13872] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Parasites are a crucial factor that shapes the functioning of communities throughout the world, as are gregarious macrofoulers in aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of three-way interactions between macrofoulers, endoparasites and their hosts. We predict that macrofouling and parasite infection may act (i) independently of each other, (ii) synergistically, increasing their final negative impact on the host or (iii) antagonistically, the former weakening the negative impact of the latter. We investigated multiway relationships between an invasive freshwater filter-feeding macrofouler (the zebra mussel), digenean endoparasite and their gastropod host, Viviparus viviparus. Furthermore, we checked the recruitment of mussels in living gastropods versus their empty shells. We sampled living V. viviparus and their empty shells with attached dreissenids from a Polish dam reservoir. We counted and weighed attached mussels and determined wet weight, shell height and sex of gastropods. Then we dissected the molluscs to look for digenean larvae and gastropod embryos. We use these parameters to look for reciprocal associations between mussel fouling, parasitic infection and gastropod size and fertility, as well as to infer the most likely mechanisms of the observed relationships. Dreissenid overgrowth was associated with reduced fertility and size of viviparids, but also with a lower prevalence of digenean metacercariae (Leucochloridiomorpha sp.). We did not observe a negative influence of these digeneans on their gastropod hosts. In addition, large living viviparids and their empty shells were equally used as substrates by dreissenids, but small living gastropods were more fouled than shells of the corresponding size. A trade-off exists in the studied system: filter-feeding macrofoulers may bring some profits for their host, reducing the pressure of waterborne parasites (which may be crucial in the case of pathogenic species/life stages), although at the cost of the reduced growth and fertility of the host. Furthermore, mussels attached to mollusc hosts can exert a cascading effect on the reduced prevalence of digeneans in their final hosts, including those of medical or veterinary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stanicka
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Szopieray
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Łukasz Migdalski
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kobak
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
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5
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Thys KJM, Vanhove MPM, Custers JWJ, Vranken N, Van Steenberge M, Kmentová N. Co-introduction of Dolicirroplectanum lacustre, a monogenean gill parasite of the invasive Nile perch Lates niloticus: intraspecific diversification and mitonuclear discordance in native versus introduced areas. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:775-786. [PMID: 36228748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.001] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Nile perch (Lates niloticus) is a notorious invasive species. The introductions of Nile perch into several lakes and rivers in the Lake Victoria region led to the impoverishment of trophic food webs, particularly well documented in Lake Victoria. Additionally, its parasites were co-introduced, including Dolicirroplectanum lacustre (Monogenea, Diplectanidae). Dolicirroplectanum lacustre is the single monogenean gill parasite of latid fishes (Lates spp.) inhabiting several major African freshwater systems. We examined the intra-specific diversification of D. lacustre from Lates niloticus in Lake Albert, Uganda (native range) and Lake Victoria (introduced range) by assessing morphological and genetic differentiation, and microhabitat preference. We expected reduced morphological and genetic diversity for D. lacustre in Lake Victoria compared with Lake Albert, as a result of the historical introductions. We found that D. lacustre displayed high morphological variability within and between African freshwaters, with two morphotypes identified, as in former studies. The single shared morphotype between Lake Albert and Lake Victoria displayed similar levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity between the lakes. Mitonuclear discordance within the morphotypes of D. lacustre indicates an incomplete reproductive barrier between the morphotypes. The diversification in the mitochondrial gene portion is directly linked with the morphotypes, while the nuclear gene portions indicate conspecificity. Based on our results, we reported reduced genetic and morphological diversity, potentially being a result of a founder effect in Lake Victoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J M Thys
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Maarten P M Vanhove
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jonas W J Custers
- Utrecht University, Department of Biology, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan Vranken
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Biology Department, Section Vertebrates, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Maarten Van Steenberge
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Operational Directorate Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nikol Kmentová
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Sweeny AR, Albery GF, Becker DJ, Eskew EA, Carlson CJ. Synzootics. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2744-2754. [PMID: 34546566 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13595] [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: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ecologists increasingly recognise coinfection as an important component of emergent epidemiological patterns, connecting aspects of ecoimmunology, behaviour, ecosystem function and even extinction risk. Building on syndemic theory in medical anthropology, we propose the term 'synzootics' to describe co-occurring enzootic or epizootic processes that produce worse health outcomes in wild animals. Using framing from syndemic theory, we describe how the synzootic concept offers new insights into the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. We then recommend a set of empirical criteria and lines of evidence that can be used to identify synzootics in nature. We conclude by exploring how synzootics could indirectly drive the emergence of novel pathogens in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R Sweeny
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gregory F Albery
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Evan A Eskew
- Department of Biology, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Colin J Carlson
- Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Symbionts of invasive and native crabs, in Argentina: The most recently invaded area on the Southwestern Atlantic coastline. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 184:107650. [PMID: 34352239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Biological invasions have the capacity to introduce non-native parasites. This study aimed to determine whether the invasive green crab population, Carcinus spp., on the Southwestern Atlantic coast of Argentina harbours any symbionts, and whether these may spillover or spillback between native crabs, Cyrtograpsus altimanus and C. angulatus. Macroscopy, histology, and molecular analyses of some parasites were used to describe and compare their diversity across the three species of crab. We also evaluated the susceptibility of invasive Carcinus spp. to a native digenean, Maritrema madrynense, via experimental infections (exposure and cohabitation). Our results revealed that the green crab pathobiome included similar symbiotic groups to native crabs. This included putative viral, bacterial, and protozoan parasites. Haplosporidium-like observations were recorded in all crab species, and a single green crab was found to be parasitized by an Agmasoma-like microsporidium. Metagenomic analysis of one individual revealed additional symbiotic diversity (46 bacteria, 5 eukaryotic species). The green crabs were infected by more microparasite taxa than the native crabs (5:3). Wild populations of Carcinus spp. were free of metazoan parasites and are shown not to be susceptible to M. madryense under experimental conditions. Our results suggest a reduction/escape of macroparasites (trematode Maritrema madrynense; acanthocephalan Profilicollis chasmagnathi) in invasive Carcinus spp. compared to their native competitors.
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Bouwmeester MM, Goedknegt MA, Poulin R, Thieltges DW. Collateral diseases: Aquaculture impacts on wildlife infections. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark M. Bouwmeester
- Department of Coastal Systems NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research Den Burg The Netherlands
| | - M. Anouk Goedknegt
- UMR 5805 EPOC Station Marine d'Arcachon CNRSUniversité de Bordeaux Arcachon France
| | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - David W. Thieltges
- Department of Coastal Systems NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research Den Burg The Netherlands
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9
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Association between temporal patterns in helminth assemblages and successful range expansion of exotic Mus musculus domesticus in Senegal. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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10
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Introduced marine ecosystem engineer indirectly affects parasitism in native mussel hosts. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Markert A. How dense is dense? Toward a harmonized approach to characterizing reefs of non-native Pacific oysters – with consideration of native mussels. NEOBIOTA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.57.49196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Pacific oysters Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas have been successfully invading ecosystems worldwide. As an ecosystem engineer, they have the potential to substantially impact on other species and on functional processes of invaded ecosystems. Engineering strength depends on oyster density in space and time. Density has not yet been studied on the extent of reef structural dynamics. This study assessed abundance of naturalized Pacific oysters by shell length (SL) of live individuals and post-mortem shells at six sites over six consecutive years during post-establishment. Individual biomass, i.e. live wet mass (LWM), flesh mass (FM) and live shell mass (SM LIVE), were determined from a total of 1.935 live oysters in order to estimate areal biomass. The generic term density attribute was used for SL-related population categories and the biomass variables LWM, FM, SM LIVE and SM. As the oyster invasion modulated resident Mytilus edulis beds, the study was supplemented by contemporaneously assessed data of mussels and corresponding analyses.
Interrelations of abundance and areal biomass revealed distinct linkages between specific density attributes. Most importantly, large individuals were identified as intrinsic drivers for the determination of areal biomass. Additionally, allometry of large oysters differed from small oysters by attenuated scaling relations. This effect was enhanced by oyster density as results showed that crowding forced large individuals into an increasing slender shape. The significant relationship between the density attributes large oyster and biomass enabled a classification of reef types by large oyster abundance. Reef type (simple or complex reef) and oyster size (small or large) were considered by implementing a novel concept of weighted twin functions (TF) for the relationship between SL and individual biomass. This study demonstrates that the interplay of scaling parameters (scalar, exponent) is highly sensitive to the estimation of individual biomass (shape) and that putative similar scaling parameters can exceedingly affect the estimation of areal biomass.
For the first time, this study documents the crucial relevance of areal reference, i.e. cluster density (CD) or reef density (RD), when comparing density. RD considers reef areas devoid of oysters and results from CD reduced by reef coverage (RC) as the relative reef area occupied by oysters. A compilation of density attributes at simple and complex reefs shall serve as a density guide. Irrespective of areal reference, oyster structural density attributes were significantly higher at complex than at simple reefs. In contrast, areal reference was of vital importance when evaluating the impact of engineering strength at ecosystem-level. While mussel CD was similar at both reef types, RD at complex reefs supported significantly more large mussels and higher mussel biomass than at simple reefs. Although mussels dominated both reef types by abundance of large individuals, oysters were the keystone engineers by dominating biomass.
The prominent status of large oysters for both allometric scaling and density, presumably characteristic for Pacific oyster populations worldwide, should be considered when conducting future investigations. The effort of monitoring will substantially be reduced as only large oysters have to be counted for an empirical characterization of Pacific oyster reefs. The large oyster concept is independent of sampling season, assessment method or ecosystem, and is also applicable to old data sets. Harmonization on the proposed density attributes with a clear specification of areal reference will allow trans-regional comparisons of Pacific oyster reefs and will facilitate evaluations of engineering strength, reef performance and invasional impacts at ecosystem-level.
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Dairain A, Engelsma MY, Drent J, Dekker R, Thieltges DW. High prevalences of disseminated neoplasia in the Baltic tellin Limecola balthica in the Wadden Sea. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 138:89-96. [PMID: 32103823 DOI: 10.3354/dao03448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Baltic tellin Limecola balthica is one of the most common bivalves in intertidal areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Over the last 2 decades, the species has been suffering from a decrease in adult survival in the European Wadden Sea. While several factors such as global warming and fisheries have been suggested to influence the population dynamics of this bivalve mollusc, the potential role of diseases has never been investigated. In this study, we investigated whether disseminated neoplasia, a common proliferative disorder in bivalve molluscs, could play a potential role in the recent population decline of Baltic tellins in the Wadden Sea. We conducted a field survey in the Dutch Wadden Sea to (1) determine whether the disease occurs in Baltic tellins in the Wadden Sea and (2) quantify the occurrence and severity of the disease via histology. Disseminated neoplasia occurred in L. balthica at each of the 10 sampled locations with very high prevalences (21-89%) compared to those reported elsewhere for this species. The highest severity category was found in 8 to 87% of affected individuals, with severity generally increasing with prevalence. Disseminated neoplasia usually increases mortality among affected individuals and may also be associated with important sub-lethal effects, especially regarding gametogenesis. Thus, we suggest that disseminated neoplasia may play a key role in the population dynamics of the Baltic tellin, the extent of which remains to be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Dairain
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, PO Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
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13
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Global invasion genetics of two parasitic copepods infecting marine bivalves. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12730. [PMID: 31484951 PMCID: PMC6726661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48928-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species, and especially invasive parasites, represent excellent models to study ecological and evolutionary mechanisms in the wild. To understand these processes, it is crucial to obtain more knowledge on the native range, invasion routes and invasion history of invasive parasites. We investigated the consecutive invasions of two parasitic copepods (Mytilicola intestinalis and Mytilicolaorientalis) by combining an extensive literature survey covering the reported putative native regions and the present-day invaded regions with a global phylogeography of both species. The population genetic analyses based on partial COI sequences revealed significant population differentiation for M. orientalis within the native region in Japan, while introduced populations in North America and Europe could not be distinguished from the native ones. Thus, M. orientalis’ invasion history resembles the genetic structure and recent spread of its principal host, the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, while M. intestinalis lacks population genetic structure and has an overall low genetic diversity. Therefore, the native origin of M. intestinalis remains unclear. With this study, we demonstrate that even highly related and biologically similar invasive species can differ in their invasion genetics. From this, we conclude that extrapolating invasion genetics dynamics from related invasive taxa may not always be possible.
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Goedknegt MA, Nauta R, Markovic M, Buschbaum C, Folmer EO, Luttikhuizen PC, van der Meer J, Waser AM, Wegner KM, Thieltges DW. How invasive oysters can affect parasite infection patterns in native mussels on a large spatial scale. Oecologia 2019; 190:99-113. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Šimková A, Řehulková E, Rasoloariniaina JR, Jorissen MWP, Scholz T, Faltýnková A, Mašová Š, Vanhove MPM. Transmission of parasites from introduced tilapias: a new threat to endemic Malagasy ichthyofauna. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1859-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Chalkowski K, Lepczyk CA, Zohdy S. Parasite Ecology of Invasive Species: Conceptual Framework and New Hypotheses. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:655-663. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Cryptic invasion of a parasitic copepod: Compromised identification when morphologically similar invaders co-occur in invaded ecosystems. PLoS One 2018. [PMID: 29538388 PMCID: PMC5851579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their frequent occurrence and strong impacts on native biota, biological invasions can long remain undetected. One reason for this is that an invasive species can be morphologically similar to either native species or introduced species previously established in the same region, and thus be subject to mistaken identification. One recent case involves congeneric invasive parasites, copepods that now infect bivalve hosts along European Atlantic coasts, after having been introduced independently first from the Mediterranean Sea (Mytilicola intestinalis Steuer, 1902) and later from Japan (Mytilicola orientalis Mori, 1935). At least one report on M. intestinalis may have actually concerned M. orientalis, and M. orientalis thus qualifies as a “cryptic invader”. Because these two parasitic copepods are morphologically similar, knowledge about their distribution, impact and interactions depends crucially on reliable species identification. In this study, we evaluated the reliability of morphological identification of these two species in parts of their invasive range in Europe (Dutch Delta and Wadden Sea) in comparison with molecular methods of well-established accuracy based on COI gene sequences and ITS1 restriction fragment length polymorphism. Based on seven easily measured or scored macro-morphological variables that were recorded for 182 individual copepods isolated from blue mussels (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758), principal component analysis showed two relatively distinct but overlapping morphological species groups for females, but no clear separation in males. Discriminant function analysis showed that the females can be discriminated reasonably well based on some of the morphological characteristics (identification error rate of 7%) while males cannot (error rate of 25%). The direction of the dorsolateral thoracic protuberances was identified as the most important trait for species discrimination, but among the morphological features checked, none could flawlessly discriminate between both species. We recommend the use of molecular techniques in future studies of invasive Mytilicola to reliably discriminate between the species. The morphological similarity of these two invaders suggests a more general problem of cryptic invasions and compromised identification of parasites in invaded ecosystems. This problem should be borne in mind whenever invasive parasites are investigated.
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Trophic relationship between the invasive parasitic copepod Mytilicola orientalis and its native blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) host. Parasitology 2017; 145:814-821. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInvasive parasites can spill over to new hosts in invaded ecosystems with often unpredictable trophic relationships in the newly arising parasite-host interactions. In European seas, the intestinal copepod Mytilicola orientalis was co-introduced with Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) and spilled over to native blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), with negative impacts on the condition of infected mussels. However, whether the parasite feeds on host tissue and/or stomach contents is yet unknown. To answer this question, we performed a stable isotope analysis in which we included mussel host tissue and the primary food sources of the mussels, microphytobenthos (MPB) and particulate organic matter (POM). The copepods were slightly enriched in δ15N (mean Δ15N ± s.d.; 1·22 ± 0·58‰) and δ13C (Δ13C 0·25 ± 0·32‰) with respect to their host. Stable isotope mixing models using a range of trophic fractionation factors indicated that host tissue was the main food resource with consistent additional contributions of MPB and POM. These results suggest that the trophic relationship of the invasive copepod with its mussel host is parasitic as well as commensalistic. Stable isotope studies such as this one may be a useful tool to unravel trophic relationships in new parasite-host associations in the course of invasions.
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