Nucella lapillus as a paratenic host for Maritrema arenaria

Metacercariae of the microphallid trematode Maritrema arenaria are found in the shore barnacle Semibalanoides balanoides which is heavily predated by the dog whelk, Nucella lapillus . This study demonstrated that, under experimental and natural conditions, M. arenaria metacercarial cysts were ingest...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Helminthology
Main Authors: McCarthy, H.O., Irwin, S.W.B., Fitzpatrick, S.M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1999
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
General Medicine
Parasitology
Dog whelk
Nucella lapillus
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022149x99000463
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022149X99000463
Description
Summary:Metacercariae of the microphallid trematode Maritrema arenaria are found in the shore barnacle Semibalanoides balanoides which is heavily predated by the dog whelk, Nucella lapillus . This study demonstrated that, under experimental and natural conditions, M. arenaria metacercarial cysts were ingested by N. lapillus and the metacercariae retained their viability while passing through the molluscs' digestive systems. Dog whelks are a known food source for numerous bird species, leading to the conclusion that they may act as paratenic hosts of M. arenaria . The strategic importance of the adoption by M. arenaria of N. lapillus as a paratenic host is discussed.

Similar Items