Infection Patterns in Invasive and Native Snail Hosts Exposed to a Parasite Associated with Waterfowl Mortality in the Upper Mississippi River, USA

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Bithynia tentaculata is an aquatic invasive snail first detected in the upper Mississippi River (UMR) in 2002. The snail harbors a number of parasitic trematode species, including Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus, that have been implicated in waterfowl mortality in the region. We assessed the capacity of S. pseudoglobulus cercariae to infect B. tentaculata and native snails found in the UMR. Four snail species (one invasive and three native) were individually exposed to S. pseudoglobulus larvae and all were successfully infected. A subsequent experiment examining infection patterns in invasive and native hosts exposed singly or in mixed treatments revealed no difference in parasite establishment among snail species. Our results add to our understanding of S. pseudoglobulus transmission and provide insight into processes underlying waterfowl disease in the UMR.

Aquatic vegetation responses to island construction (habitat restoration) in a large floodplain river

“…Zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha ) were first documented in the study areas in the early 1990s and reached high abundance in the early 2000s (Cope, Bartsch, & Hightower, ). Faucet snails ( Bithynia tentaculata ) were first documented in 2002 (Sandland, Gillis, Haro, & Peirce, ). Filter feeding increases water clarity and alters nutrient cycling (Cope et al, ), indirectly affecting aquatic vegetation. Sediment accumulation and decreased depth in open‐water areas may allow aquatic macrophyte beds to establish (Bhowmik & Adams, ). A demographic collapse of invasive common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) beginning in the 1960s (Gibson‐Reinemer, Chick, VanMiddlesworth, VanMiddlesworth, & Casper, ).…”

Snail Races: An Inquiry-Based Approach to Learn Invasive Species Ecology

“…For the purposes of this lesson, it is important to note that these trematode species do not infect humans and thus the snails do not require special protocols for handling. Studies on the infection patterns (30,(32)(33)(34)(35) and population dynamics (36,37) of this system are increasing, but studies investigating how biotic and abiotic factors affect small-scale dispersal behavior of the snail are still needed. A better understanding of how snails disperse at a local scale will help more accurately predict the invasive potential of the snail and trematode parasites.…”

Trematodes Infecting Ducks of Genus Aythya Boie, 1822 (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in Sindh, Pakistan

“…In addition to direct transmission of disease, birds can also be of indirect economic importance to man by the disseminating disease to livestock herds and poultry flocks (Ernest et al, 2007;Sandland et al, 2014;Ashraf et al, 2015). These are the edible birds, may cause a basic source of transmission of some poisonous metallic compounds of lead, chromium and arsenic etc.…”