Genomic analysis reveals complex population structure within the smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris, in Central Europe

Species with wide-range distributions usually display high genetic variation. This variation can be partly explained by historical lineages that were temporally isolated from each other and are back into secondary reproductive contact, and partly by local adaptations. The smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is one of the most widely distributed amphibians species across Eurasia and forms a species complex with a partially overlapping distribution and morphology. In the present study, we explored the population genomic structure of smooth newt lineages in the Carpathian Basin (CB) relying on single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Our dataset included new and previously published data to study the secondary contact zone between lineages in the CB and also tested for the barrier effect of rivers to gene flow between these lineages. We confirmed the presence of the South L. v. vulgaris Lineage distributed in Transdanubia and we provided new distribution records of L. v. ampelensis inhabiting the eastern territories of the CB. High genetic diversity of smooth newts was observed, especially in the North Hungarian Mountains and at the interfluves of the main rivers in the South with four distinct lineages of L. v. vulgaris and one lineage of L. v. ampelensis showing a low level of admixture with the spatially closest L. v. vulgaris lineage. Moreover, admixture detected at the interfluve of the main rivers (i.e. Danube and Tisza) suggested a secondary contact zone in the area. Finally, we found that the river Danube has a very weak effect on population divergence, while the river Tisza is a geographical barrier limiting gene flow between smooth newt lineages. As the range boundaries of L. v. vulgaris and L. v. ampelensis in the CB coincide with the river Tisza, our study underpins the influence of rivers in lineage diversification.

"Heat waves" experienced during larval life have species-specific consequences on life-history traits and sexual development in anuran amphibians

Extreme temperatures during heat waves can induce mass-mortality events, but can also exert sublethal negative effects by compromising life-history traits and derailing sexual development. Ectothermic animals may, however, also benefit from increased temperatures via enhanced physiological performance and the suppression of cold-adapted pathogens. Therefore, it is crucial to address how the intensity and timing of naturally occurring or human-induced heat waves affect life-history traits and sexual development in amphibians, to predict future effects of climate change and to minimize risks arising from the application of elevated temperature in disease mitigation. We raised agile frog (Rana dalmatina) and common toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles at 19 °C and exposed them to a simulated heat wave of 28 or 30 °C for six days during one of three ontogenetic periods (early, mid or late larval development). In agile frogs, exposure to 30 °C during early larval development increased mortality. Regardless of timing, all heat-treatments delayed metamorphosis, and exposure to 30 °C decreased body mass at metamorphosis. Furthermore, exposure to 30 °C during any period and to 28 °C late in development caused female-to-male sex reversal, skewing sex ratios strongly towards males. In common toads, high temperature only slightly decreased survival and did not influence phenotypic sex ratio, while it reduced metamorph mass and length of larval development. Juvenile body mass measured 2 months after metamorphosis was not adversely affected by temperature treatments in either species. Our results indicate that heat waves may have devastating effects on amphibian populations, and the severity of these negative consequences, and sensitivity can vary greatly between species and with the timing and intensity of heat. Finally, thermal treatments against cold-adapted pathogens have to be executed with caution, taking into account the thermo-sensitivity of the species and the life stage of animals to be treated.

Host-multiparasite interactions in amphibians: a review

Parasites, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, helminths, and arthropods, are ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Consequently, hosts are frequently infected with more than one parasite species simultaneously. The assessment of such co-infections is of fundamental importance for disease ecology, but relevant studies involving non-domesticated animals have remained scarce. Many amphibians are in decline, and they generally have a highly diverse parasitic fauna. Here we review the literature reporting on field surveys, veterinary case studies, and laboratory experiments on co-infections in amphibians, and we summarize what is known about within-host interactions among parasites, which environmental and intrinsic factors influence the outcomes of these interactions, and what effects co-infections have on hosts. The available literature is piecemeal, and patterns are highly diverse, so that identifying general trends that would fit most host–multiparasite systems in amphibians is difficult. Several examples of additive, antagonistic, neutral, and synergistic effects among different parasites are known, but whether members of some higher taxa usually outcompete and override the effects of others remains unclear. The arrival order of different parasites and the time lag between exposures appear in many cases to fundamentally shape competition and disease progression. The first parasite to arrive can gain a marked reproductive advantage or induce cross-reaction immunity, but by disrupting the skin and associated defences (i.e., skin secretions, skin microbiome) and by immunosuppression, it can also pave the way for subsequent infections. Although there are exceptions, detrimental effects to the host are generally aggravated with increasing numbers of co-infecting parasite species. Finally, because amphibians are ectothermic animals, temperature appears to be the most critical environmental factor that affects co-infections, partly via its influence on amphibian immune function, partly due to its direct effect on the survival and growth of parasites. Besides their importance for our understanding of ecological patterns and processes, detailed knowledge about co-infections is also crucial for the design and implementation of effective wildlife disease management, so that studies concentrating on the identified gaps in our understanding represent rewarding research avenues.

Landscape Genomics of a Widely Distributed Snake, Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789) across Eastern Europe and Western Asia

Across the distribution of the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius), populations have become increasingly disconnected due to habitat alteration. To understand population dynamics and this widespread but locally endangered snake’s adaptive potential, we investigated population structure, admixture, and effective migration patterns. We took a landscape-genomic approach to identify selected genotypes associated with environmental variables relevant to D. caspius. With double-digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing of 53 samples resulting in 17,518 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we identified 8 clusters within D. caspius reflecting complex evolutionary patterns of the species. Estimated Effective Migration Surfaces (EEMS) revealed higher-than-average gene flow in most of the Balkan Peninsula and lower-than-average gene flow along the middle section of the Danube River. Landscape genomic analysis identified 751 selected genotypes correlated with 7 climatic variables. Isothermality correlated with the highest number of selected genotypes (478) located in 41 genes, followed by annual range (127) and annual mean temperature (87). We conclude that environmental variables, especially the day-to-night temperature oscillation in comparison to the summer-to-winter oscillation, may have an important role in the distribution and adaptation of D. caspius.

Distinctive site preference of the fish parasite Myxobolus cerebralis (Cnidaria, Myxozoa) during host invasion

Here, we experimentally studied the site preference of Myxobolus cerebralis, one of the most pathogenic myxozoan (Cnidaria, Myxozoa) fish parasites, which causes whirling disease in salmonids. Parasite invasion was examined in three fish species with various susceptibility levels: the type host brown trout, the highly susceptible rainbow trout, and the non-susceptible gibel carp, in which parasite spores do not develop. We investigated the first two hours of fish invasion, and measured the site preference of triactinomyxons (TAMs) during attachment and penetration of fish in three body parts (gills, fins, skin). Infection prevalence and intensity were estimated using a species-specific nested PCR, optimised in the present study. The highest infection prevalence was detected in the most susceptible fish species, rainbow trout. Interestingly, higher prevalence was observed in gibel carp than in the type host, brown trout (95.2% vs. 85.7%). Considering body locations, remarkable differences were detected in infection intensities. The highest intensity was observed in fins, whereas skin was the least infected body part in every fish species examined. Infection prevalence and intensity did not differ significantly among fish species. Thus, we confirmed that M. cerebralis TAMs cannot discern fish species. Furthermore, we proved experimentally that fish fin is significantly more attractive to fish-invading parasite TAMs than gills or skin.

Susceptibility-related differences in the quantity of developmental stages of Myxobolus spp. (Myxozoa) in fish blood

Here, we investigated the early development of two closely related myxozoan parasites, the highly pathogenic Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of the whirling disease in salmonids, and Myxobolus pseudodispar, a common, non-pathogenic parasite of cyprinids. The aim of our study was to examine under in vivo laboratory conditions whether fish blood is involved in the intrapiscine development of the two parasite species and investigate if there is dissimilarity between the parasite infection intensity in blood and if it varies in terms of host susceptibility and parasite pathogenicity. Highly susceptible, less susceptible and non-susceptible hosts were involved. Blood samples were taken 1 day, 1 week and 1 month post exposure to M. cerebralis and M. pseudodispar, respectively. The prevalence and infection intensity was estimated by parasite-specific quantitative real-time PCR. Although previous findings assumed that M. cerebralis might escape from host immune system by migrating via peripheral nerves, our experimental results demonstrated that M. cerebralis is present in blood during the early stage of intrapiscine development. For the non-pathogenic M. pseudodispar, the highest infection prevalence was found in the original host, common roach Rutilus rutilus, whereas the highest infection intensity was detected in rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus, a “dead-end” host of the parasite. The presence of M. pseudodispar developmental stages in the blood of both susceptible and non-susceptible cyprinids suggests that the susceptibility differences remain hidden during the early stage of infection. Our findings supply further evidence that host specificity is not determined during the early, intrapiscine development involving the vascular system. Furthermore, we found remarkable differences in the infection dynamics of the two parasite species examined, possibly due to their distinct pathogenicity or variations in adaptive capabilities to immune components in host blood.

The effect of dietary immunostimulants on the susceptibility of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to the white spot parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

One of the main obstacles in freshwater aquaculture is the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), the causative agent of white spot disease. The use of immunostimulants as feed additives may be a promising approach to control Ich infection. In the present study, we tested the prophylactic effect of orally administered β-1,3/1,6-glucan and propolis extract E50 against Ich infection in common carp. In total, 122 fish were separated into three experimental groups fed with a control, 3% β-glucan and 1% propolis diet for 40 consecutive days, respectively. On day 40, 16 fish per group were individually exposed to Ich theronts and the number of trophonts was counted 5 days post exposure. Relative gene expression of interleukin 1-β (IL-1-β) in common carp liver was examined by qPCR. Compared to control, the mean infection intensity was lower in the β-glucan- and propolis-fed groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The relative expression of IL-1-β significantly decreased in the propolis-fed group at day 10. In the β-glucan-fed group, a significant IL-1-β decrease was detected at day 15 compared to control. Although the Ich infection intensity was slightly decreased in both treated groups, and IL-1-β was moderately down-regulated in the liver of common carp, our results suggest that the applied feeding regime is insufficient to prevent Ich outbreaks in common carp.