Ornithodiplostomum spp. metacercariae in fathead minnows : migration, site selection, and host response
Date
2009
Authors
Matisz, Chelsea E.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Deptartment of Biological Sciences, 2009
Abstract
Site selection, and the means to access specific sites, is a keystone of
parasitology. I evaluated migration and site selection behaviours of metacercariae of two
congeneric species of strigeoid trematode throughout growth and encystment phases in
the fathead minnow. Results showed that pre-encystment stages of Ornithodiplostomum
ptychocheilus migrate along specific neural tracts to access sites in the optic lobes of the
brain. Conversely, pre-encystment stages of Ornithodiplostomum sp. migrate via direct
penetration, or via the vascular system to access visceral organs, especially the liver.
Remarkably, both species have a bi-phasic pattern of development, with growth and
encystment occurring in unique sites. Finally, I examined patterns of rodlet cell
proliferation and maturation in response to growth and encystment phases of O.
ptychocheilus. Cell densities were low (<11/mm2) in brain tissue adjacent to 1 and 2
week old metacercaria, but peaked to approximately 210/mm2 at 6 weeks. These results
shed new light on the potential function of these enigmatic cells.
Description
x, 125 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Parasitology -- Research , Fathead minnow -- Research , Dissertations, Academic , Trematoda -- Research