Hostname: page-component-788cddb947-t9bwh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-19T04:46:04.130Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nucella lapillus as a paratenic host for Maritrema arenaria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2024

H.O. McCarthy ,
S.W.B. Irwin  and
S.M. Fitzpatrick
H.O. McCarthy*
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
S.W.B. Irwin
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
S.M. Fitzpatrick
Affiliation:
School of Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Whiteabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
*
*Fax: 01232 366162. E-mail: h.o.mccarthy@ ulst.ac.uk
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Metacercariae of the microphallid trematode Maritrema arenaria are found in the shore barnacle Semibalanoides balanoides which is heavily predated by the dog whelk, Nucella lapillus. This study demonstrated that, under experimental and natural conditions, M. arenaria metacercarial cysts were ingested by N. lapillus and the metacercariae retained their viability while passing through the molluscs' digestive systems. Dog whelks are a known food source for numerous bird species, leading to the conclusion that they may act as paratenic hosts of M. arenaria. The strategic importance of the adoption by M. arenaria of N. lapillus as a paratenic host is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 73 , Issue 3 , March 1999 , pp. 281 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

References

Bush, A.O., Lafferty, K.D., Lotz, J.M. & Shostak, A.W. (1997) Parasitology meets ecology on its own terms: Margolis et al. revisited. Journal of Parasitology 83, 575–583.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cramp, S. & Simmons, K.E.L. (1983) The birds of the western Palaeoarctic. Vol. 3, London, Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Gibb, J. (1956) Food, feeding habits and territory of the rock pipit, Anthus spinoletta . Ibis 98, 506–530.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hadley, C.E. & Castle, R.M. (1940) Description of a new species of Maritrema Nicoll 1907, Maritrema arenaria, with studies on the life history. Biological Bulletin of the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 78, 338–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Irwin, S.W.B., McKerr, G., Judge, B.C. & Moran, I. (1984) Studies on metacercarial excystment in Himasthla leptosoma (Trematoda: Echinostomidae ) and newly emerged metacercariae. International Journal for Parasitology 14, 415–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Irwin, S.W.B., Maguire, J.G. & Saville, D.H. (1990) Identification of the cercarial stage of Maritrema arenaria (syn. M. gratiosum) (Trematoda: Microphallidae). Journal of Natural History 24, 949–954.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mehlhorn, H. (1988) Parasitology in focus: facts and trends. Berlin, Springer-Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Popiel, I. (1976) A description of Cercaria littorina saxatilis V sp. nov. (Digenea: Microphallidae) from Littorina saxatilis subsp. rudis (Maton) in Cardigan Bay, Wales. Norwegian Journal of Zoology 24, 303–306.Google Scholar