Qualitative and quantitative behavioral traits in a community of furcocercariae trematodes: Tools for species separation?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Santos, MJ (Author) FCUP; Karvonen, A (Author) Other; Pedro, JC (Author) Other; Faltynkova, A (Author) Other; Seppala, O (Author) Other; Valtonen, ET (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Parasitology

Vol. 93 No. 6

Pages: 1319-1323

ISSN: 0022-3395

Publisher: American Society of Parasitology

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-634

DOI: 10.1645/ge-1225.1

Abstract (EN): Many trematode cercariae show distinct behavioral features, which have commonly been used in species identification in combination with morphological characteristics. However, information regarding cercariae behavior has often not been quantified in detail, or it is scattered in the literature, which is why the appropriate level of precision in behavioral identity, particularly in groups of cercariae species showing considerable morphological overlap, has not been properly established. In this study, we investigated one such group, the furcocercariae trematodes, by studying their behavior in a community consisting of 8 species (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, Ichthyocotylurus variegatus, Cotylurus brevis, Cercaria spinulosa, Australapatemom sp., Australapatemom burti, Sanguinicola sp., and Bilharziella polonica) in central Finland. Our aim was not to develop an identification formula on the basis of behavior but to investigate and propose characteristic measurements applicable in separation of cercariae species. We used a 2-level approach, first recording qualitative behavioral traits of the cercariae, including swimming type and resting position; and, second, more detailed quantitative behavioral characteristics, such as resting time, swimming time, and swimming speed. Essentially, species showing a 2-phase behavior were distinguishable according to qualitative traits (resting position), whereas with those showing continuous swimming behavior, a combination of qualitative and quantitative traits (swimming speed) was required. These results suggest that characteristics of cercariae behavior can not only be used in species identification but also in general life history comparisons investigating details of the cercariae transmission.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5