Production of marine trematode cercariae: a potentially overlooked path of energy flow in benthic systems

Thieltges, David W.; Montaudouin, Xavier de; Fredensborg, Brian L.; Jensen, Kaj Frank; Koprivnikar, Janet; Poulin, Robert

doi:10.3354/meps07703

Cited by 74 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Such parasites are important components of the food web because they require trophic transmission (Lafferty 2008). Trematode cercariae are also an important constituent of biomass in intertidal zones (Lafferty 2008) as well as being an overlooked component of energy flow (Thieltges et al 2008). Given the effects of trematodes on intertidal host populations and community structure (e.g., Mouritsen andPoulin 2002, 2005), extensive investigations of abiotic influences on cercarial emergence, survival and activity should be undertaken to allow for accurate predictions regarding the impacts of climate change on disease dynamics in marine ecosystems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of temperature, salinity, and pH on the survival and activity of marine cercariae

Koprivnikar

Lim

et al. 2010

Parasitol Res

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Alterations of abiotic factors due to global climate change are predicted to impact disease dynamics, particularly for pathogens with complex life cycles involving free-living infectious stages, such as the cercariae of trematode parasites. Previous investigations of cercarial output, longevity, and infectivity suggest an overall increase in trematode transmission in response to elevated temperature. However, while increased temperature will likely be accompanied by changes in salinity and pH in marine ecosystems, little is known regarding their influence on cercariae. We investigated the response of trematode cercariae of the intertidal horn snail Cerithidea californica to altered temperature, salinity, and pH. The survival and activity of one trematode species, Euhaplorchis californiensis (Heterophydae), appears to be largely unaffected by increased temperature, while that of a second species, Acanthoparyphium spinulosum (Echinostomatidae), decreased at the warmer temperature (25 degrees C). Cercariae of E. californiensis generally fared best at the highest salinity (40 ppt), whereas A. spinulosum showed the opposite effect. Neither species was affected by pH alone although there were interactions with salinity and time. These results may reflect different emergence patterns of the two species and demonstrate that trematode parasitism in intertidal zones may be impacted by alterations of the marine environment resulting from climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of temperature, salinity, and pH on the survival and activity of marine cercariae

Koprivnikar

Lim

et al. 2010

Parasitol Res

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“…This is critical not only because of the changing marine environment, but also because parasites are ubiquitous components of intertidal communities, able to regulate host population density, influence the diversity of the benthic community, and affect the structure of intertidal food webs (Poulin and Mouritsen 2006), as well as being an important path of energy flow in benthic systems (Thieltges et al 2008). The alteration of abiotic factors impacting cercarial emergence could thus affect local parasite transmission and abundance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of temperature, salinity, and water level on the emergence of marine cercariae

Koprivnikar

Poulin

2009

Parasitol Res

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With the prospect of large-scale environmental changes, there is an urgent need to obtain information regarding environmental influences acting on the emergence of cercariae in marine systems. We investigated the response of trematodes of the intertidal snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus to altered temperature, salinity, and water level. The emergence of one trematode species, Maritrema novaezealandensis (Microphallidae), showed a weak trend to decrease with increased temperature; whereas, the emergence of a second species, Philophthalmus sp. (Philophthalmidae), increased at warmer temperatures. Both species exhibited increased cercarial emergence at the lowest salinity used (30 PSU). More M. novaezealandensis cercariae emerged when snails were kept partially submerged. In contrast, emergence of Philophthalmus sp. increased when snails were completely submerged. These results may reflect different transmission strategies employed by the two trematode species. Based on this model, we propose that trematode parasitism in intertidal zones is likely to be impacted by various changes in the marine environment resulting from global warming.

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“…As far as trophic interactions of organisms are concerned, predation by small aquatic animals may represent a promising means of biological control. Schistosome miracidia and cercariae may serve as prey for larval aquatic insects, crustaceans, oligochaetes, shrimps, and fish (271,(333)(334)(335)(336)(337)(338). In particular, the annelid Chaetogaster limnaei sensu lato, living commensally or parasitically on the shell surface or in the mantle and pulmonary cavities of freshwater snails, may act as an efficient predator and prevent penetration of miracidia (339,340) or feed on cercariae as they are released from the snail (341,342).…”

Section: Control Measures Related To the Ecology Of Avian Schistosomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avian Schistosomes and Outbreaks of Cercarial Dermatitis

et al. 2015

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SUMMARY Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a condition caused by infective larvae (cercariae) of a species-rich group of mammalian and avian schistosomes. Over the last decade, it has been reported in areas that previously had few or no cases of dermatitis and is thus considered an emerging disease. It is obvious that avian schistosomes are responsible for the majority of reported dermatitis outbreaks around the world, and thus they are the primary focus of this review. Although they infect humans, they do not mature and usually die in the skin. Experimental infections of avian schistosomes in mice show that in previously exposed hosts, there is a strong skin immune reaction that kills the schistosome. However, penetration of larvae into naive mice can result in temporary migration from the skin. This is of particular interest because the worms are able to migrate to different organs, for example, the lungs in the case of visceral schistosomes and the central nervous system in the case of nasal schistosomes. The risk of such migration and accompanying disorders needs to be clarified for humans and animals of interest (e.g., dogs). Herein we compiled the most comprehensive review of the diversity, immunology, and epidemiology of avian schistosomes causing cercarial dermatitis.

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Production of marine trematode cercariae: a potentially overlooked path of energy flow in benthic systems

Cited by 74 publications

References 60 publications

Effects of temperature, salinity, and pH on the survival and activity of marine cercariae

Effects of temperature, salinity, and pH on the survival and activity of marine cercariae

Effects of temperature, salinity, and water level on the emergence of marine cercariae

Avian Schistosomes and Outbreaks of Cercarial Dermatitis

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