Impacts of a newly identified behaviour-altering trematode on its host amphipod: from the level of gene expression to population

Yasmin Guler, Stephen Short, Amaia Green Etxabe, Christopher M. Sherhod, Peter Kille, Alex T. Ford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

126 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Changes to host behaviour induced by some trematode species, as a means of increased trophic transmission, represents one of the seminal examples of host manipulation by a parasite. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus (Leach, 1815) is infected with a previously undescribed parasite, with infected individuals displaying positive phototaxic and negative geotaxic behaviour. This study reveals that the unknown parasite encysts in the brain, nerve cord and the body cavity of E. marinus, and belongs to the Microphallidae family. An 18 month population study revealed that host abundance significantly and negatively correlated with parasite prevalence. Investigation of the trematode's influence at the transcriptomic level revealed genes with putative neurological functions, such as serotonin receptor 1A, an inebriated-like neurotransmitter, tryptophan hydroxylase and amino acid decarboxylase, present consistent altered expression in infected animals. Therefore, this study provides one of the first transcriptomic insights into the neuronal gene pathways altered in amphipods infected with a trematode parasite associated with changes to its host's behaviour and population structure.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1469-1480
JournalParasitology
Volume142
Issue number12
Early online date18 Aug 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2015

Keywords

  • RCUK
  • NERC
  • NE/G004587/1
  • parasitic-manipulation
  • host behaviour
  • neurological genes
  • serotonin
  • amphipods

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Impacts of a newly identified behaviour-altering trematode on its host amphipod: from the level of gene expression to population'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this