The course of infection and growth of Moniliformis dubius (Acanthocephala) in the intermediate host Periplaneta americana

Abstract

A quantitative study has been made of the relationship between Moniliformis dubius and Periplaneta americana.1. Eggs removed from the body cavity of the worm hatch at a higher rate after dessication and after a short period of time following removal.2. There is an exponential decline in the additional number of cystacanths recovered as the dose is increased linearly.3. Female cockroaches are more susceptible to high levels of infection than males.4. Direct injection into the haemocoele produces a similar recovery rate to that from oral infection.5. Previous infection does not seem to affect the success of a superimposed infection.6. Rates of development and growth are described.7. The effect of the parasite on the concentration of free amino acids in the haemolymph was found to be negligible.I would like to thank Miss S. Arnold and Mr D. Barnard for technical assistance, Mr E. Walters for help with statistical analysis, Dr D. W. T. Crompton for many helpful discussions and Dr P. J. Whitfield for reading this paper. This work has been carried out during the tenure of a Science Research Council Studentship.

Density-dependent mechanisms in the regulation of intestinal helminth populations

“…Type III responses alone provide potential for density-dependent control of prey population growth, operative only over the limited range in which predator-imposed prey mortality is an increasing function of prey density (Hassell, Lawton & Beddington, 1977). In contrast, however, when the prey is effectively a parasite infective-stage, all types of response may potentially exert density-dependent control over the flow of the parasite through its life-cycle (Keymer & Anderson, 1979;Keymer, 1981; similar patterns are observable in data published by Lackie, 1972). Some examples of functional responses Type I Type I Type I Prey density Fig.…”

“…The data presented by Lackie (1972) concerning the relationship between dose and establishment in the cockxo&ch-Moniliformis interaction are indicative of a functional response by the predator under artificial experimental conditions, to changes in the density of acanthocephalan eggs (see Fig. 4).…”

“…Based on data fromKeymer & Anderson (1979); (6) Transmission of Moniliformis dubius to the intermediate host, Periplaneta americana. Based on data fromLackie (1972). The vertical bars represent the 95 % confidence limits of the means and the lines indicate the predictions of a functional response model (seeKeymer & Anderson 1979).…”

Crustacean-acanthocephalan interaction and host cell-mediated immunity: parasite encapsulation and melanization

“…These helminths represent a group of acanthocephalan species that possess a four-layered shell around each egg. Some of these shell layers persist as a "rigid" envelope covering the larva (Lackie andLackie 1979, Holt 1989). A probable protective function against the host's cellular response has been attributed to this envelope (Rotheram and Crompton 1972, Lackie and Lackie 1979, Dezfuli et al 1994, Dezfuli and Giari 1999, Dezfuli 2000.…”

The Origins and Evolution of the Acanthocephala

“…On ingestion by a susceptible arthropod host, the acanthor is liberated from 1 its surrounding envelopes and bores through the intestinal wall into the haemocoel. Here development proceeds through a series of stages known as acanthellae (King & Robinson, 1967;Lackie, 1972). T h e definitive host acquires acanthocephalans by eating arthropods containing infective juvenile or cystacanth stages.…”