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SINGING FROGS, WORMY INTERLOPERS, AND HUNGRY CANNIBALS: AN INVESTIGATION OF COMPLEX LIFE CYCLES AND MULTI HOSTPARASITE INTERACTIONS

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Date Issued:
2023
Abstract/Description:
Complex life cycles are common across parasite taxa and frequently require trophic transfer of parasites from prey to predator; however, studies on parasite-host interactions often neglect variation in parasite life histories. Here I use two focal freshwater digenetic trematode species, Halipegus occidualis tongueworms and Haematoloechus complexus lungworms, as an empirical system to investigate how parasite life history traits drive host-parasite interactions across the life cycle. To examine how parasite life history and host ecology influence parasite genetic patterns, I characterized the genetic diversity of within-host infrapopulations, as well as overall population genetic structure, of sympatric tongueworm and lungworm populations. Infection load and genetic diversity of host-level parasite infrapopulations increased with host trophic level, highlighting the benefits of trophic transfer and multihost life cycles. Concurrently, first intermediate host population dynamics and dispersal ability played a role in predicting population-level parasite genetic diversity and structure.
Title: SINGING FROGS, WORMY INTERLOPERS, AND HUNGRY CANNIBALS: AN INVESTIGATION OF COMPLEX LIFE CYCLES AND MULTI HOSTPARASITE INTERACTIONS.
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Name(s): Goodnight, Sarah R. , author
McCoy, Michael W. , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Biological Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2023
Date Issued: 2023
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 213 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Complex life cycles are common across parasite taxa and frequently require trophic transfer of parasites from prey to predator; however, studies on parasite-host interactions often neglect variation in parasite life histories. Here I use two focal freshwater digenetic trematode species, Halipegus occidualis tongueworms and Haematoloechus complexus lungworms, as an empirical system to investigate how parasite life history traits drive host-parasite interactions across the life cycle. To examine how parasite life history and host ecology influence parasite genetic patterns, I characterized the genetic diversity of within-host infrapopulations, as well as overall population genetic structure, of sympatric tongueworm and lungworm populations. Infection load and genetic diversity of host-level parasite infrapopulations increased with host trophic level, highlighting the benefits of trophic transfer and multihost life cycles. Concurrently, first intermediate host population dynamics and dispersal ability played a role in predicting population-level parasite genetic diversity and structure.
Identifier: FA00014250 (IID)
Degree granted: Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Host-Parasite Interactions
Parasites--Life cycles
Parasites--Genetics
Cannibalism in animals
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014250
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