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Egg dispersal in the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus dirus: field data.
1Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
The Journal of Parasitology
|February 25, 2012
Summary
Female acanthocephalans (Acanthocephalus dirus) may disperse eggs into the environment from their bodies in nature, in addition to typical fecal dispersal. This study found mature eggs within female worms recovered from stream sediment.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Ecology
- Aquatic Biology
Background:
- Acanthocephalan eggs are usually found in definitive host feces.
- Previous lab studies suggested female acanthocephalans might carry eggs before dispersal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if female acanthocephalans disperse eggs from their bodies in natural environments.
- To determine egg dispersal mechanisms of Acanthocephalus dirus under field conditions.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 6 field surveys in a local stream.
- Searched stream sediment for intact Acanthocephalus dirus individuals.
- Examined recovered female worms for mature eggs.
Main Results:
- Recovered 24 intact A. dirus, including 5 mature females.
- All 5 mature females contained mature eggs; one carried approximately 10,000 eggs.
- Found significant variation in egg load among females; recovered 20,000 eggs from a fish fecal pellet.
Conclusions:
- Findings support egg dispersal from female A. dirus bodies in nature.
- Acanthocephalan eggs may be dispersed via host feces and from expelled female worms.
- Egg dispersal strategies in acanthocephalans are more varied than previously assumed.
