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A parasite that increases host lifespan.

H Hurd1, E Warr, A Polwart

  • 1Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK. h.hurd@keele.ac.uk

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|August 17, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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The rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, significantly increases the survival time of its intermediate host, the yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor). This parasite-induced longevity may alter the host

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Insect Ecology
  • Host-Parasite Interactions

Background:

  • Tenebrio molitor serves as an intermediate host for the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta.
  • Parasite development within the beetle involves invasion of the midgut and maturation in the haemocoel.
  • Host-parasite interactions can incur significant costs on the host's physiology and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Hymenolepis diminuta infection on the survival and longevity of Tenebrio molitor.
  • To explore potential alterations in host resource allocation and trade-offs between reproduction and longevity.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative survival analysis between infected and control populations of Tenebrio molitor.
  • Assessment of survival rates and mortality trends in relation to infection status.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Discussion of potential changes in host resource allocation based on observed survival data.

    • Main Results:

    • A highly significant increase in survival time was observed in infected beetle populations (p < 0.001, hazard ratio = 2.35).
    • Infected females exhibited a 40% increase in survival to 50% mortality, while males showed a 25% increase.
    • Reproductive success was previously found to be significantly reduced in infected females.

    Conclusions:

    • Hymenolepis diminuta infection confers increased longevity upon Tenebrio molitor, despite the costs of invasion and parasitism.
    • The parasite-induced longevity suggests a potential shift in host resource allocation, possibly favoring survival over reproduction.
    • Altered trade-offs between reproduction and longevity in infected hosts may enhance parasite transmission efficiency.