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Parasite-associated growth enhancement in a fish-cestode system
S A Arnott1, I Barber, F A Huntingford
1Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow, UK. s.a.arnott@udcf.gla.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|May 23, 2000
Summary
Parasitic cestode infections in three-spined sticklebacks surprisingly enhanced host growth rates and maintained body condition. This study demonstrates parasite-induced growth enhancement in fish, challenging typical energetic cost assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Parasitology
- Aquatic Biology
Background:
- Parasites typically impose energetic costs on hosts, often leading to reduced growth.
- Previous studies have reported paradoxical cases of parasite-associated growth enhancement in hosts.
- Field studies are limited by unknown pre-infection host conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the effect of parasitic cestode infection on fish growth and body condition.
- To determine if infection by Schistocephalus solidus enhances growth rates in three-spined sticklebacks under controlled conditions.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiment involving 76 laboratory-reared three-spined sticklebacks.
- Individual housing and abundant food supply to control for competition.
- Monitoring of fish growth rate and body condition before, during, and after infection with Schistocephalus solidus.
Main Results:
- Infection by Schistocephalus solidus occurred independently of host gender, size, or initial condition.
- Infected sticklebacks exhibited accelerated growth (excluding parasite weight) compared to uninfected controls.
- Infected fish maintained similar or improved body condition despite spleen enlargement.
Conclusions:
- Schistocephalus solidus infection can lead to enhanced growth in three-spined sticklebacks.
- This finding provides a rare demonstration of parasite-associated growth enhancement in fish.
- The results challenge the universal assumption of parasites solely imposing energetic costs.