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Documenting Trematode Larvae in Marine Sponges

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Date Issued:
2015
Summary:
Parasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the hostparasite histology. This presentation shows a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs documenting the histology of trematodes in sponges. In future analyses, 18s rDNA sequencing will be used as a preliminary screening of the taxa present in sponge tissues, and oligonucleotide probes will be developed to detect these parasites in the invertebrate symbionts of the sponges. This combination of microscopy and molecular approaches will elucidate linkages between developmental stages and provide information on the pathway(s) these parasites use to reach their final host(s). These larval stages are important to study in trematode life cycles because they develop into endoparasites of vertebrates; which in this case are likely fish which eat the sponge. Reef fishes such as Acanthostracion quadricornis (scrawled cowfish), Holocanthus ciliaris (queen angelfish), and Holocanthus tricolor (rock beauty) opportunistically consume sponges of this particular genus (Spongia). Much is known about the health impacts of adult trematodes in fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals; however, there is little data directly linking diet choices with infection. Trematodes have not been reported in sponges in previous literature.
Title: Documenting Trematode Larvae in Marine Sponges.
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Name(s): Plunkett, Rachel
Pomponi, Shirley A.
Graduate College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Poster
Date Created: 2015
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Parasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the hostparasite histology. This presentation shows a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs documenting the histology of trematodes in sponges. In future analyses, 18s rDNA sequencing will be used as a preliminary screening of the taxa present in sponge tissues, and oligonucleotide probes will be developed to detect these parasites in the invertebrate symbionts of the sponges. This combination of microscopy and molecular approaches will elucidate linkages between developmental stages and provide information on the pathway(s) these parasites use to reach their final host(s). These larval stages are important to study in trematode life cycles because they develop into endoparasites of vertebrates; which in this case are likely fish which eat the sponge. Reef fishes such as Acanthostracion quadricornis (scrawled cowfish), Holocanthus ciliaris (queen angelfish), and Holocanthus tricolor (rock beauty) opportunistically consume sponges of this particular genus (Spongia). Much is known about the health impacts of adult trematodes in fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals; however, there is little data directly linking diet choices with infection. Trematodes have not been reported in sponges in previous literature.
Identifier: FA00005908 (IID)
Collection: FAU Student Research Digital Collection
Note(s): The Sixth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition.
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005908
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.