Temporal and spatial patterns of nestedness in eel macroparasite communities.

J Norton; J W Lewis; D Rollinson

doi:10.1017/s0031182004005517

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 15376779

Temporal and spatial patterns of nestedness in eel macroparasite communities.

J Norton·J W Lewis·D Rollinson

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A nested (non-random) species composition was observed among the intestinal macroparasite communities of European eels, Anguilla anguilla. Nestedness was observed in 8 out of 10 component community samples from the rivers Thames and Test between April 2000 and October 2001. Parasite component communities consisted of mainly generalist and specialist, but also accidental species, and included acanthocephalans, cestodes, nematodes and digeneans. Nestedness was observed when component population size differed markedly between all or most parasite species, but not when the majority of species present was similarly abundant. Nestedness could not be explained in terms of host weight, log normal distribution of parasite species, or mean intensity of infection. It is proposed that nestedness occurred as a result of a sufficiently graded abundance between parasite species, which was established early in the year by colonization processes.

Explore related subjects

Anguilla Animals England Fish Diseases Helminthiasis, Animal Helminths Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic Rivers Seasons Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

J Norton, J W Lewis, D Rollinson. 2004. Temporal and spatial patterns of nestedness in eel macroparasite communities.. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182004005517

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Transfer of spermatogenesis-related cDNAs into eel testis germ-somatic cell coculture pellets by electroporation: methods for analysis of gene function.

Genes encoding spermatogenesis-related substance (eSRSs) show unique expression patterns during spermatogenesis. To analyze their function, we developed a new assay system using gene transfer techniques combined with coculture of the eel germ-somatic cells. First, we investigated the efficacy of in vitro electroporation transfer of gene into germ-somatic cell pellets using green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. Second, in order to define the function of the eSRSs, we electrophoretically transferred eel spermatogonial stem cell renewal factor (eSRS34) and eel spermatogenesis-preventing substance (eSRS21) genes into germ-somatic cell pellets. Presence of the transferred cDNA was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, proliferating cells were detected histologically, after labeling with BrdU. Transfer of the eSRS34 gene induced spermatogonial stem cell renewal in the pellets. Moreover, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) treatment stimulated the proliferation of spermatogonia, which resulted in the appearance of late type B spermatogonia in the pellets. The proliferation of spermatogonia by 11-KT stimulation was suppressed by transfer of the eSRS21 gene. These results indicate that the transferred eSRS34 and 21genes were functional in the pellets. Thus, an efficient in vitro gene transfer technique for coculture system of germ and somatic cell of Japanese eel was established.

Anguilla↗

PubMed2006

Stegodexamene anguillae (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), an intestinal parasite of eels (Anguilla spp.) in New Caledonia.

Adult trematodes of the genus Stegodexamene Macfarlane, 1951 were recorded from the intestines of two species of freshwater eels, the Pacific short-finned eel Anguilla obscura Günther and the speckled longfin eel Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner from the Pouembout and La Foa Rivers, New Caledonia, South Pacific. They were identified as Stegodexamene anguillae Macfarlane, 1951, a species previously reported only from eels in New Zealand. The morphology of adult S. anguillae seems to be practically identical with that of the later described Stegodexamene callista Watson 1984 from eels in Australia. The finding of S. anguillae in A. obscura and A. reinhardtii in New Caledonia represents new geographical and host records. In addition to this trematode, two larval specimens of a cestode of the order Proteocephalidea were found in the intestine of one A. obscura from the Pouembout River. No monogenean was found in eels of New Caledonia.

Anguilla↗

PubMed2006

The dynamics of the nematode Anguillicola crassus, Kuvahara 1974 in eel Anguilla anguilla (L. 1758) in the Sebou estuary (Morocco).

The European eel is a vulnerable fish by its complex life cycle, by the impact of pollution of the near total of freshwater aquatic environments, and by the gravity and the diversity of its parasites (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, the Copepoda, Coccidia...). It is classified in the red book of threatened species. The anguillulose is the principal parasitic pathology of an eel either in the natural environment or in the aquaculture. The eels taken in the three zones of the Sebou estuary of varied environmental conditions were dissected for the research of parasites. Of the fish, 85.7% are infested upstream of the estuary, whereas only 71% shelter this parasite in their swim bladder, with an abundance of 2.09 per fish downstream and 83.8 in zone 2. The present study suggests the development stage of the fish, and therefore its diet, has an influence on the parasitic infestation. The estuaries and the lagoons constitute a very significant medium for the safeguarding and the disinfection of parasitized eels.

Anguilla↗