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Anaya C, Bolek MG. Is there life after parasitism? Survival, longevity, and oogenesis in Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) infected with the hairworm, Paragordius varius (Phylum: Nematomorpha). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2333-2342. [PMID: 33956214 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07173-0] [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: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The costs parasites impose on hosts can lead to reductions in survival and fecundity, but few studies have evaluated the impacts after infection. Hairworms are parasites of terrestrial arthropods that are free-living in aquatic systems as adults. As parasitic juveniles, hairworms acquire nutrients from their definitive hosts, shifting resources away from host development to parasite growth. However, until now, only one study has examined survivorship of naturally infected hosts with hairworms. Using a different hairworm and host system, we conducted experimental infections to examine growth, survivorship, and egg production in virgin female Acheta domesticus infected with the hairworm, Paragordius varius. We found that infected crickets grew significantly less during hairworm development compared to sham-infected control crickets. After releasing their worms, infected crickets survived for 73 ± 32 days but had significantly shorter life spans by an average of 13 days compared to sham-infected control crickets. However, we found that 50% of previously infected crickets produced eggs after releasing their worms. Taken together, these observations suggest that female crickets infected with hairworms may experience less mortality than previous anecdotal evidence suggests. Finally, we discuss the definition of parasitoid and how it relates to nematomorphs, and we suggest that more field and laboratory research is required before suggesting hairworms are parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Anaya
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA.
| | - Matthew G Bolek
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
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Hong EJ, Sim C, Chae JS, Kim HC, Park J, Choi KS, Yu DH, Yoo JG, Park BK. A Horsehair Worm, Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiida), Passed in a Canine Feces. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 53:719-24. [PMID: 26797439 PMCID: PMC4725239 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nematomorpha, horsehair or Gordian worms, include about 300 freshwater species in 22 genera (Gordiida) and 5 marine species in 1 marine genus (Nectonema). They are parasitic in arthropods during their juvenile stage. In the present study, the used gordian worm was found in the feces of a dog (5-month old, male) in July 2014. Following the worm analysis using light and scanning electron microscopes, the morphological classification was re-evaluated with molecular analysis. The worm was determined to be a male worm having a bi-lobed tail and had male gonads in cross sections. It was identified as Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areole on the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out, and the gordiid worm was assumed to be close to the genus Gordius based on a phylogenic tree analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eui-Ju Hong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Cheolho Sim
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, USA
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Cheol Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gangwon National University, Chuncheon 24289, Korea
| | - Jinho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea
| | - Do-Hyeon Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Jae-Gyu Yoo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinics, National Institute of Animal Science Rural Development Administration, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Bae-Keun Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Korea
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Hao YJ, Montiel R, Lucena MA, Costa M, Simoes N. Genetic diversity and comparative analysis of gene expression between Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Az29 and Az36 isolates: Uncovering candidate genes involved in insect pathogenicity. Exp Parasitol 2012; 130:116-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Revised: 11/26/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Abstract
The reconstruction of ancestors is a central aim of comparative anatomy and evolutionary developmental biology, not least in attempts to understand the relationship between developmental and organismal evolution. Inferences based on living taxa can and should be tested against the fossil record, which provides an independent and direct view onto historical character combinations. Here, we consider the nature of the last common ancestor of living ecdysozoans through a detailed analysis of palaeoscolecids, an early and extinct group of introvert-bearing worms that have been proposed to be ancestral ecdysozoans. In a review of palaeoscolecid anatomy, including newly resolved details of the internal and external cuticle structure, we identify specific characters shared with various living nematoid and scalidophoran worms, but not with panarthropods. Considered within a formal cladistic context, these characters provide most overall support for a stem-priapulid affinity, meaning that palaeoscolecids are far-removed from the ecdysozoan ancestor. We conclude that previous interpretations in which palaeoscolecids occupy a deeper position in the ecdysozoan tree lack particular morphological support and rely instead on a paucity of preserved characters. This bears out a more general point that fossil taxa may appear plesiomorphic merely because they preserve only plesiomorphies, rather than the mélange of primitive and derived characters anticipated of organisms properly allocated to a position deep within animal phylogeny.
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Hanelt B, Thomas F, Schmidt-Rhaesa A. Biology of the phylum nematomorpha. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2009; 59:243-305. [PMID: 16182867 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(05)59004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Compared with most animal phyla, the Nematomorpha, also known as hair worms, is a relatively understudied metazoan phylum. Although nematomorphs make up only 1 of 3 animal phyla specializing solely on a parasitic life style, little attention has been focused on this enigmatic group scientifically. The phylum contains two main groups. The nectonematids are parasites of marine invertebrates such as hermit crabs. The gordiids are parasites of terrestrial arthropods, such as mantids, beetles, and crickets. Members of both of these groups are free-living as adults in marine and freshwaters respectively. In recent years, large strides have been made to understand this group more fully. New information has come from collection efforts, new approaches in organismal biology, modern techniques in microscopy and molecular biology. This review will focus on the advances made in four main areas of research: (1) morphology, (2) taxonomy and systematics, (3) life cycle and ecology and (4) host behavioural alterations. Recent research focus on the structure of both nectonematids and gordiids has added new insights on the morphology of adult worms and juveniles. The nervous system of gordiids is now well described, including the documentation of sensory cells. In addition, the availability of material from the juvenile of several species of gordiids has made it possible to document the development of the parasitic stage. New collections and reinvestigations of museum specimens have allowed for a critical reevaluation of the validity of established genera and species. However, traditional taxonomic work on this group continues to be hampered by two impeding factors: first is the lack of species-specific characters; and second is the problem of intraspecific variation, which has likely led to the description of numerous synonyms. Modern molecular techniques have been used recently to support independently the broad relationships among gordiids. During the turn of the millennium, the study of the life cycle and general ecology of gordiids enjoyed a revival. The pivotal outcome of this research was the domestication of a common American gordiid species, Paragordius varius. This species was the first of this phylum to be laboratory-reared. Through this research, the life cycle of several distantly related gordiid species was investigated. Other work showed that gordiids persist in the environment in the cyst stage by moving through different hosts by paratenesis. These cysts have been shown to retain infectivity for up to a year. These factors have likely contributed to the finding that gordiid cysts are one of the most common metazoans in some aquatic environments. Finally, recent work has focused on elucidating the mechanism of how gordiids make the transition from terrestrially based definitive hosts to a free-living aquatic environment. It has been shown that hosts are manipulated by the parasites to enter water. Using this study system, and using histology and proteomic tools, the method of manipulation used by these parasites is being further investigated. This manipulation, and the reaction of the cricket to this manipulation, has been postulated to benefit both the parasite and the host. Although large strides have been made within the last 10 years in the understanding of nematomorphs, we make the case that a lot of basic information remains to be uncovered. Although seemingly a daunting task, the recent advances in information and techniques lay a solid foundation for the future study of this unique group of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Hanelt
- Department of Biology, 167 Castetter Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1091, USA
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Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Gerke S. Cuticular ultrastructure of Chordodes nobilii Camerano, 1901, with a comparison of cuticular ultrastructure in horsehair worms (Nematomorpha). ZOOL ANZ 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2006.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Schmidt-Rhaesa A. Morphogenesis of Paragordius varius (Nematomorpha) during the parasitic phase. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-005-0109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Brivio MF, Mastore M, Moro M. The role of Steinernema feltiae body-surface lipids in host-parasite immunological interactions. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 135:111-21. [PMID: 15287592 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) and insect host (Galleria mellonella) immune system were investigated. We focused on the immunosuppressive properties of the parasite cuticle and on its interaction with hemolymph humoral components. Effects of parasite cuticle against host proPO system enzymatic cascade were evaluated a short time after infection. The presence of parasite cuticles decreased both normal and LPS-elicited proPO system activity, suggesting that S. feltiae body surface plays a key role in the early parasitation phase, probably interfering with host proPO activation pathways. The data obtained showed that cuticle lipidic compounds are able to interact with host humoral components, removing them from the hemolymph. The depletion of these molecules, arbitrarily named host-interacting proteins (HIPs), seems to be responsible of the drastic decrease in proPO system activity. Moreover, hemolymph HIPs showed LPS-binding properties and parasite cuticle cross-reacted with anti-LPS antibodies. Finally, we also assessed the involvement of parasite body surface on immunoevasion strategies of S. feltiae against host cell-mediated encapsulation processes. We conclude that S. feltiae body surface is responsible for short-term immunosuppression and immunoevasion processes; since it is able to sequester host hemolymph compounds involved in proPO system activation and this process could be responsible for a molecular disguise strategy against cellular encapsulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio F Brivio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.
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Schmidt-Rhaesa A. Ultrastructure of an integumental organ with probable sensory function in Paragordius varius (nematomorpha). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0001-7272.2004.00153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Protasoni M, de Eguileor M, Congiu T, Grimaldi A, Reguzzoni M. The extracellular matrix of the cuticle of Gordius panigettensis (Gordioiidae, Nematomorpha): observations by TEM, SEM and AFM. Tissue Cell 2003; 35:306-11. [PMID: 12921713 DOI: 10.1016/s0040-8166(03)00052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The cuticle of Gordius panigettensis (Sciacchitano, 1955) was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cuticle is composed of 30-50 compact layers. The number of the layers is higher in the central part of the animal's body and decreases at the extremities. Each layer is composed of parallel tightly packed fibres approximately 640 nm in diameter and of indefinite length. The fibres run strictly parallel within each layer, while in adjoining layers they run at a variable angle from 45 degrees in the central body to 90 degrees in the extremities. Each fibre shows a barely detectable filamentous inner structure and is enveloped in a thin highly regular net formed by hexagonal meshes. Our results suggested that these fibres should be proteinaceous although non-collagenous. Thinner radial fibres run among the large fibres and across all the layers and span the whole thickness of the cuticle from the epithelial layer located deep underneath the large fibres up to the epicuticle on the external surface of the animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Protasoni
- Laboratory of Human Morphology, University of Insubria, via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese, Italy.
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Brivio MF, Pagani M, Restelli S. Immune suppression of Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera) humoral defenses induced by Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda, Rhabditida): involvement of the parasite cuticle. Exp Parasitol 2002; 101:149-56. [PMID: 12427469 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4894(02)00111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Immune depression of Galleria mellonella larvae was evaluated a short time after infection with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae. In the host the activity of the enzymatic cascade known as the proPO system was significantly reduced by the presence of either live or dead parasites. The presence of parasites decreased the LPS-elicited proPO system activity. In addition, this process seems to be related to a decrease in the activity of hemolymph proteases, more than to phenoloxidase damage. proPO inhibition was also achieved by injected isolated cuticle fragments, suggesting that the parasite body surface plays an important role in the early parasitation phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio F Brivio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, Varese, Italy.
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