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Dispersal in the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus dirus.
Darin A Kopp1, Daniel A Elke, Sara C Caddigan
1Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA.
The Journal of Parasitology
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Gravid female Acanthocephalus dirus worms retain eggs, aiding parasite dispersal. This strategy attracts intermediate hosts, potentially increasing transmission success for this acanthocephalan.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Acanthocephalan parasites typically disperse eggs via definitive host feces.
- The dispersal strategy of Acanthocephalus dirus (A. dirus) has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if gravid female A. dirus employ a strategy of egg dispersal by being carried into the environment.
- To determine if A. dirus eggs can develop in intermediate hosts and if gravid females attract these hosts.
Main Methods:
- Field surveys and laboratory experiments were used to observe A. dirus egg retention and development.
- Behavioral experiments were conducted to assess the attractiveness of gravid females to intermediate hosts (isopods).
Main Results:
- Gravid A. dirus females retained eggs during passage from the intestines.
- A. dirus eggs successfully developed in sediment-dwelling isopod intermediate hosts.
- Gravid female A. dirus bodies were found to be attractive to foraging isopods.
Conclusions:
- A. dirus may utilize a female-mediated egg dispersal strategy.
- This strategy could enhance parasite transmission by placing eggs in the sediment and attracting intermediate hosts.
- Female body dispersal may represent an adaptive strategy for acanthocephalan transmission.
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