Dataset Information

Larval trematode communities in Radix auricularia and Lymnaea stagnalis in a reservoir system of the Ruhr River.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Analysis of the data available from traditional faunistic approaches to mollusc-trematode systems covering large spatial and/or temporal scales in Europe convinced us that a parasite community approach in well-defined aquatic ecosystems is essential for the substantial advancement of our understanding of the parasite response to anthropogenic pressures in urbanised areas which are typical on a European scale. Here we describe communities of larval trematodes in two lymnaeid species, Radix auricularia and Lymnaea stagnalis in four man-made interconnected reservoirs of the Ruhr River (Germany) focusing on among- and within-reservoir variations in parasite prevalence and component community composition and structure. RESULTS:The mature reservoir system on the Ruhr River provides an excellent environment for the development of species-rich and abundant trematode communities in Radix auricularia (12 species) and Lymnaea stagnalis (6 species). The lake-adapted R. auricularia dominated numerically over L. stagnalis and played a major role in the trematode transmission in the reservoir system. Both host-parasite systems were dominated by bird parasites (13 out of 15 species) characteristic for eutrophic water bodies. In addition to snail size, two environmental variables, the oxygen content and pH of the water, were identified as important determinants of the probability of infection. Between-reservoir comparisons indicated an advanced eutrophication at Baldeneysee and Hengsteysee and the small-scale within-reservoir variations of component communities provided evidence that larval trematodes may have reflected spatial bird aggregations (infection 'hot spots'). Two life history groupings of dominant species, the 'cyprinid' and 'anatid' parasites, that depict two aspects of progressive eutrophication in this mature reservoir system, were identified. CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that trematode communities in the lake-adapted R. auricularia are better suited for monitoring the effect of environmental change on host-parasite associations in the reservoir system on the Ruhr River and other similar systems due to the important role of this host in trematode transmission in lakes. Whereas variations in trematode community diversity and abundance may indicate the degree of eutrophication on a larger scale (among reservoirs), the infection rates of the two life history groups of dominant species, the 'cyprinid' and 'anatid' assemblages, may be particularly useful in depicting environmental variability, eutrophication effects and infection 'hot spots' on smaller spatial scales.

SUBMITTER: Soldanova M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2910012 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Larval trematode communities in Radix auricularia and Lymnaea stagnalis in a reservoir system of the Ruhr River.

Soldánová Miroslava M Selbach Christian C Sures Bernd B Kostadinova Aneta A Pérez-Del-Olmo Ana A

Parasites & vectors 20100624

<h4>Background</h4>Analysis of the data available from traditional faunistic approaches to mollusc-trematode systems covering large spatial and/or temporal scales in Europe convinced us that a parasite community approach in well-defined aquatic ecosystems is essential for the substantial advancement of our understanding of the parasite response to anthropogenic pressures in urbanised areas which are typical on a European scale. Here we describe communities of larval trematodes in two lymnaeid sp ...[more]

PMID: 20576146

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Project description:BackgroundHost immune function can contribute to numerous ecological/evolutionary processes. Ecoimmunological studies, however, typically use one/few phenotypic immune assays and thus do not consider the complexity of the immune system. Therefore, "omics" resources that allow quantifying immune activity across multiple pathways are needed for ecoimmunological models. We applied short-read based RNAseq (Illumina NextSeq 500, PE-81) to characterise transcriptome profiles of Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda), a multipurpose model snail species. We used a genetically diverse snail stock and exposed individuals to immune elicitors (injury, bacterial/trematode pathogens) and changes in environmental conditions that can alter immune activity (temperature, food availability).ResultsImmune defence factors identified in the de novo assembly covered elements broadly described in other gastropods. For instance, pathogen-recognition receptors (PRR) and lectins activate Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway and cytokines that regulate cellular and humoral defences. Surprisingly, only modest diversity of antimicrobial peptides and fibrinogen related proteins were detected when compared with other taxa. Additionally, multiple defence factors that may contribute to the phenotypic immune assays used to quantify antibacterial activity and phenoloxidase (PO)/melanisation-type reaction in this species were found. Experimental treatments revealed factors from non-self recognition (lectins) and signalling (TLR pathway, cytokines) to effectors (e.g., antibacterial proteins, PO enzymes) whose transcription depended on immune stimuli and environmental conditions, as well as components of snail physiology/metabolism that may drive these effects. Interestingly, the transcription of many factors (e.g., PRR, lectins, cytokines, PO enzymes, antibacterial proteins) showed high among-individual variation.ConclusionsOur results indicate several uniform aspects of gastropod immunity, but also apparent differences between L. stagnalis and some previously examined taxa. Interestingly, in addition to immune defence factors that responded to immune elicitors and changes in environmental conditions, many factors showed high among-individual variation across experimental snails. We propose that such factors are highly important to be included in future ecoimmunological studies because they may be the key determinants of differences in parasite resistance among individuals both within and between natural snail populations.

Dataset Information

Larval trematode communities in Radix auricularia and Lymnaea stagnalis in a reservoir system of the Ruhr River.

Publications

Larval trematode communities in Radix auricularia and Lymnaea stagnalis in a reservoir system of the Ruhr River.

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