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18. Social flatworms: the minor caste is adapted for attacking competing parasites

Author

Mouritsen, Kim N. and Halvorsen, Frej J.

Subjects
Animal territoriality -- Research, Flatworms -- Behavior, Zoological research, Host-parasite relationships -- Research, Biological sciences
Abstract

Recently, it has been hypothesized that some marine parasitic flatworms (trematoda) within their gastropod hosts form socially organized larval colonies divided into distinct castes adapted for defence and reproduction. However, the evidence in support for advanced division of labour in trematodes is challengeable and generally consistent with the traditional view of ordinary age-structured colonies. Using intramolluscan larval colonies of the trematode Himasthla elongata (Echinostomatidae) as study system, we demonstrate experimentally that contrary to reproducing colony members, non-reproducing larvae are anatomically and behaviourally adapted of defending the colony against competing parasites infecting the same host. We also show that co-infections are significantly less frequent in situ than expected by chance, which emphasizes the efficiency of the antagonistic activity of Himasthla colonies in eliminating competitors. Together, this brings novel and pivotal support to the view of adaptive cast formation in marine trematodes., Author(s): Kim N. Mouritsen[sup.1] , Frej J. Halvorsen[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Bioscience, Aquatic Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark Introduction Parasitic flatworms are [...]

Published
2015
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36. Mussel Shutdown: Does the Fear of Trematodes Regulate the Functioning of Filter Feeders in Coastal Ecosystems?

Author

Selbach, Christian and Mouritsen, Kim N.

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, 0301 basic medicine, Mytilus edulis, ecology of fear, lcsh:Evolution, Biology, Ecological systems theory, 010603 evolutionary biology, 01 natural sciences, Ecosystem engineer, trematode, ecosystem engineer, 03 medical and health sciences, Abundance (ecology), lcsh:QH540-549.5, lcsh:QH359-425, Ecosystem, 14. Life underwater, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ecology, fungi, Mussel, biology.organism_classification, Mytilus, non-consumptive effects, 030104 developmental biology, Productivity (ecology), Habitat, 13. Climate action, parasite, lcsh:Ecology
Abstract

Parasite infections have negative impacts on their hosts. Accordingly, many organisms try to detect and avoid infective parasite stages, leading to changes in host behavior or physiology. Such non-consumptive effects (NCEs) on host traits can have cascading impacts on whole ecosystems but remain largely overlooked. Here, we discuss the potential impacts of the presence of free-living trematode stages on blue musselsMytilus edulis, an important ecosystem engineer in coastal habitats, and highlight the ecological implications of these interactions. Specifically, we discuss how parasite avoidance behavior can regulate the filtration activity of these bivalves in coastal ecosystems and show how even moderate changes in mussel behavior can lead to far-reaching shifts in energy flow. Such processes might be further amplified under future climate change developments, since both parasite abundance and biotic productivity are highly temperature dependent. Overall, we hypothesize that, in addition to their more evident consumptive impacts, trematodes act as cryptic ecosystem engineers by shaping bivalve filtration processes via NCEs. Due to our still very limited understanding of these parasite-mediated processes, we outline key questions for future research directions. We hope this perspective will help encourage new efforts to empirically investigate these fascinating processes that can be crucial regulatory forces in complex ecological systems.

Published
2020
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48. Parasites Affect Food Web Structure Primarily through Increased Diversity and Complexity

Author

Dunne, Jennifer A., primary, Lafferty, Kevin D., additional, Dobson, Andrew P., additional, Hechinger, Ryan F., additional, Kuris, Armand M., additional, Martinez, Neo D., additional, McLaughlin, John P., additional, Mouritsen, Kim N., additional, Poulin, Robert, additional, Reise, Karsten, additional, Stouffer, Daniel B., additional, Thieltges, David W., additional, Williams, Richard J., additional, and Zander, Claus Dieter, additional

Published
2013
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