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Reproduction and caste ratios under stress in trematode colonies with a division of labour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2013

MELANIE M. LLOYD  and
ROBERT POULIN
MELANIE M. LLOYD*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
ROBERT POULIN
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author: Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Tel: +64 3 479 7986. Fax: +64 3 479 7584. E-mail: llome300@student.otago.ac.nz
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Summary

Trematodes form clonal colonies in their first intermediate host. Individuals are, depending on species, rediae or sporocysts (which asexually reproduce) and cercariae (which develop within rediae or sporocysts and infect the next host). Some species use a division of labour within colonies, with 2 distinct redial morphs: small rediae (non-reproducing) and large rediae (individuals which produce cercariae). The theory of optimal caste ratio predicts that the ratio of caste members (small to large rediae) responds to environmental variability. This was tested in Philophthalmus sp. colonies exposed to host starvation and competition with the trematode, Maritrema novaezealandensis. Philophthalmus sp. infected snails, with and without M. novaezealandensis, were subjected to food treatments. Reproductive output, number of rediae, and the ratio of small to large rediae were compared among treatments. Philophthalmus sp. colonies responded to host starvation and competition; reproductive output was higher in well-fed snails of both infection types compared with snails in lower food treatments and well-fed, single infected snails compared with well-fed double infected snails. Furthermore, the caste ratio in Philophthalmus sp. colonies was altered in response to competition. This is the first study showing caste ratio responses to environmental pressures in trematodes with a division of labour.

Keywords

host dietcompetitioncolony reproductive successPhilophthalmus sp.Zeacumantus subcarinatusMaritrema novaezealandensis
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 140 , Issue 7 , June 2013 , pp. 825 - 832
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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