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Published on: October 19, 2012
Nematode eel parasite found inside acanthocephalan cysts--a "Trojan horse" strategy?
Sebastian Emde1, Sonja Rueckert2, Judith Kochmann3
1Goethe-University (GU), Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt/ M, Germany. sebastian.emde@senckenberg.de.
The invasive Anguillicoloides crassus parasite uses round gobies as "Trojan horses" by hiding within other parasites. This finding impacts European eel Anguilla anguilla health and parasite spread.
Area of Science:
- Ichthyology
- Parasitology
- Invasive Species Biology
Background:
- Anguillicoloides crassus (A. crassus) is a major threat to European eel (Anguilla anguilla) populations.
- This parasite impairs eel swim bladder function and reduces swimming performance.
- The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive species potentially serving as a paratenic host for A. crassus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess infection levels of A. crassus in the invasive round goby.
- To investigate the role of round gobies as paratenic hosts for A. crassus.
Main Methods:
- Examined 60 round gobies from the Rhine River for metazoan parasites.
- Used glycerin preparations for parasite identification, focusing on A. crassus larvae (L3).
Main Results:
- Acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus sp. was the most frequent parasite found in round gobies.
- 31.7% of gobies were infected with A. crassus larvae (L3), exclusively within Pomphorhynchus sp. cysts.
- A. crassus larvae were not found elsewhere in the goby, indicating a specific parasitic relationship.
Conclusions:
- A. crassus may evade the round goby's immune system by utilizing Pomphorhynchus sp. cysts as protective "Trojan horses".
- The round goby's abundance and potential role in transmitting A. crassus could significantly impact eel health and parasite epidemiology.
- Further research is needed to confirm the transmission dynamics and epidemiological significance.
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