Current Search: info:fedora/islandora:sp_large_image_cmodel (x) » Pomponi, Shirley A. (x) » poster (x)
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Title
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Documenting Trematode Larvae in Marine Sponges.
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Creator
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Plunkett, Rachel, Pomponi, Shirley A., Graduate College
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Abstract/Description
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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...
Show moreParasitic 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.
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Date Issued
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2015
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005908
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Format
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Document (PDF)