Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
06:49
Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
Published on: August 9, 2024
2.6K
Chemical communication in hermaphroditic digenetic trematodes
1Department of Biology, Lafayette College, 18042, Easton, Pennsylvania.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|December 6, 2013
Summary
Hermaphroditic digenetic trematodes exhibit pairing behavior. Chemical communication via lipophilic excretory-secretory products, including sterols and sterol esters, mediates this attraction.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Helminthology
- Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Adult hermaphroditic digenetic trematodes commonly form pairs or aggregates in various environments.
- Previous research indicates the involvement of excretory-secretory products in their communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review intraspecific pairing studies of Echinostoma revolutum, Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae, and Amblosoma suwaense.
- To investigate the role of lipophilic excretory-secretory products in chemical communication and pairing behavior.
- To explore the potential for interspecific pairing in Digenea.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on intraspecific pairing in selected digenean species.
- Analysis of the chemical nature of excretory-secretory products involved in pairing.
- In vitro pairing experiments between Echinostoma revolutum and other digenean species.
Main Results:
- Lipophilic excretory-secretory products are confirmed to be involved in chemical communication among hermaphroditic digeneans.
- Free sterols mediate chemical attraction in Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae and Echinostoma revolutum.
- Sterol esters play a similar role in chemical attraction for Amblosoma suwaense.
- Interspecific pairing was observed in vitro, suggesting the involvement of nonspecific factors.
Conclusions:
- Hermaphroditic digenetic trematodes utilize specific lipophilic compounds for intraspecific chemical communication and pairing.
- The findings suggest that interspecific pairing can occur, mediated by both specific and nonspecific chemical factors.
- This research highlights the ecological significance of chemical signaling in parasite aggregation and mating behavior.
More Related Videos
10:07Measuring Sperm Guidance and Motility within the Caenorhabditis elegans Hermaphrodite Reproductive Tract
Published on: June 6, 2019
13.2K
07:31Using an Adapted Microfluidic Olfactory Chip for the Imaging of Neuronal Activity in Response to Pheromones in Male C. Elegans Head Neurons
Published on: September 7, 2017
7.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diversity of Protists II
2.3K
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.3K
01:03Communication
8.0K
Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
8.0K
01:27Diversity of Protists IV
2.1K
Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
2.1K
01:15Diversity of Protists I
2.3K
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
2.3K
02:50Dosage Compensation
6.3K
In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
6.3K
01:28Yeast Signaling
15.7K
Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
15.7K