Trematode Parasite Infection Affects Temperature Selection in Aquatic Host Snails.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Parasitology
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Infected animals can display altered behaviors to mitigate infection costs or facilitate parasite manipulation.
• Temperature significantly influences physiological processes, making thermoregulatory behavior crucial for ectotherms, especially when infected.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Echinostoma trivolvis parasite infection on the thermal preferences of freshwater snails (Helisoma trivolvis).

Main Methods:

• Freshwater snails (Helisoma trivolvis) were assessed for infection status with the trematode parasite (Echinostoma trivolvis).
• The thermal preferences of infected and uninfected snails were measured using an experimental temperature gradient.

Main Results:

• Active snails exhibited distinct thermal preferences based on infection status.
• Parasitized snails significantly preferred higher temperatures (mean: 25.4°C) compared to uninfected snails (mean: 23.3°C).

Conclusions:

• Altered thermal preference in infected snails is suggested to benefit the parasite, potentially by enhancing transmission.
• Increased temperatures may promote the production and emergence of infectious parasite stages or increase overlap with intermediate hosts.
• Further research is needed to explore the temporal dynamics of altered thermal preferences and their specific benefits to hosts and parasites.