Trematode-induced alterations in shell shape of the mud snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus (Prosobranchia: Batillariidae)

K. B. Hay, B. L. Fredensborg, R. Poulin*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde
35 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

The shell morphology of mud snails, Zeacumantus subcarinatus, both uninfected and infected by trematodes, was compared to determine if different trematode species induce different degrees of alteration in host shell shape. Snails harbouring either the echinostomatid Acanthoparyphium sp., or a double infection by the microphallid Maritrema novaezealandensis and an undescribed philophthalmid species, had a wider shell base relative to the rest of the shell spire, than uninfected snails or snails infected by only one of the latter two trematode species. These results are independent of any differences in shell length among the different infection groups. The findings of this study suggest that alterations in host shell morphology are species-specific trematode manipulations of host phenotype rather than a generalized host response to castrating trematodes.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Vol/bind85
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)989-992
Antal sider4
ISSN0025-3154
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 aug. 2005

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