Host specificity and metamorphosis of the glochidium of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Reis, Jorge dos; Collares‐Pereira, Maria João; Araújo, Rafael

doi:10.14411/fp.2014.005

Cited by 15 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…During the first 12 hr, epithelial cells adjoined to the parasites underwent hypertrophy. This cellular adaptation, not described previously for glochidial parasitism, was referred as “ rounded, swollen and migrating epithelial cells ” (Nezlin et al, ; Reis, Collares‐Pereira & Araujo, ; Waller & Mitchell, ). In addition to hypertrophy, epithelial hyperplasia, synechia and subsequent lamellar fusion occurred, leading to the formation of the parasitic cyst (Howerth & Keller, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…These kind of lesions were also reported around the glochidia in non‐suitable hosts, in this case showing incomplete capsules or irregular aggregates of epithelial cells (Rogers‐Lowery & Dimock, ; Waller & Mitchell, ). Nevertheless, a slightly different pathogenesis should be considered in non‐suitable fish species, as rejection occurs as soon as in the first 2 days and deeper erosions are observed after the glochidial leakage (Reis et al, ; Scharsack, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Early stages of Margaritifera margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon: Morphopathological characterization

Castrillo

Varela‐Dopico

Ondina

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish Diseases

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Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida encyst into the fish mucosa to metamorphose and complete their life cycle, causing a parasitic disease known as glochidiosis. This parasitic stage represents a bottleneck for the survival of naiads, particularly for critically endangered species as Margaritifera margaritifera; however, little is known about the events occurring during this critical stage. Therefore, this study aimed to histologically characterize the development of M. margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon to get insight into the pathogenesis of this interaction. Fish exposed to glochidia were sampled during the first 44 days post‐exposure, and organs were observed by stereomicroscopy and light microscopy. Glochidia attached to the gills by pinching the lamellar epithelium, whereupon an acute proliferative branchitis engulfed most of the larvae. However, during the first 14 days, a severe detachment of unviable glochidia occurred, associated with the presence of pleomorphic inflammatory infiltrate and epithelial degeneration. In the cases where larvae remained attached, a chronification of the lesions with none to scarce inflammation was observed. These results provide key information to better understand the complex host–parasite interaction during the early stages of glochidiosis and provide valuable information to optimize artificial rearing of naiads in conservation of threatened freshwater mussel populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early stages of Margaritifera margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon: Morphopathological characterization

Castrillo

Varela‐Dopico

Ondina

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish Diseases

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“…The relationship between glochidia and fish is mainly described as phoretic (i.e., a form of symbiosis where the symbiont is mechanically transported by its host) rather than nutritive or for protection. Glochidia usually do not grow while on the hosts (but see Barnhart et al., ; Douda, ; Fritts, Fritts, Carleton, & Bringolf, ; Reis, Collares‐Pereira, & Araujo, ; Taeubert et al., ), and they have a small (although detectable) impact on fish fitness and behaviour, which may increase at high levels of infestation and when mussels have longer encystment periods (as those of margaritiferid and quadruline species) (Horký, Douda, Maciak, Závorka, & Slavík, ; Slavík et al., ; Thomas, Adamo, & Moore, ). The main advantage of having fish as hosts is thought to be related to dispersal, including upstream colonization (Barnhart et al., ; Horký et al., ; Schwalb, Morris, & Cottenie, ; Schwalb, Poos, & Ackerman, ; Terui et al., ) and promoting connectivity among populations (Leibold et al., ; Newton, Woolnough, & Strayer, ).…”

Section: Why Are Fish Important For Freshwater Mussels?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish and mussels: Importance of fish for freshwater mussel conservation

Ilarri²,

et al. 2017

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Co‐extinctions are increasingly recognized as one of the major processes leading to the global biodiversity crisis, but there is still limited scientific evidence on the magnitude of potential impacts and causal mechanisms responsible for the decline of affiliate (dependent) species. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida), one of the most threatened faunal groups on Earth, need to pass through a parasitic larval (glochidia) phase using fishes as hosts to complete their life cycle. Here, we provide a synthesis of published evidence on the fish–mussel relationship to explore possible patterns in co‐extinction risk and discuss the main threats affecting this interaction. We retrieved 205 publications until December 2015, most of which were performed in North America, completed under laboratory conditions and were aimed at characterizing the life cycle and/or determining the suitable fish hosts for freshwater mussels. Mussel species were reported to infest between one and 53 fish species, with some fish families (e.g., Cyprinidae and Percidae) being used more often as hosts than others. No relationship was found between the breadth of host use and the extinction risk of freshwater mussels. Very few studies focused on threats affecting the fish–mussel relationship, a knowledge gap that may impair the application of future conservation measures. Here, we identify a variety of threats that may negatively affect fish species, document and discuss the concomitant impacts on freshwater mussels, and suggest directions for future studies.

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“…Reis et al. () described the parasitic stage of this species in detail and stated that it is a strictly dioecious species. Araujo et al.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Atlantic fish species of the genus Squalius Bonaparte 1837 were found to be suitable hosts for glochidia of U. tumidiformis , which metamorphose after just a few days to a maximum of two weeks on the host (Reis et al. ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Life history of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in a temporary Mediterranean‐type stream

Reis

Araújo

2016

Invertebrate Biology

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Mediterranean‐type streams are characterized by great seasonal and annual variation in flow. We studied the biology of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis in such a stream, the Vascão River in southern Portugal, during a period of great interannual variation in hydrology. We studied growth patterns of the mussels between 2002–2008, and the reproductive cycle between 2005–2006. Life‐history parameters were calculated and related to environmental variables and fish community patterns. Mark–recapture growth data confirmed that observed annuli were formed annually and are therefore reliable for use in growth studies of U. tumidiformis. The von Bertalanffy growth constant K and the asymptotic length L∞ were negatively correlated. K varied between 0.20 and 0.58 and was positively correlated with factors related to eutrophication. The maximum observed age was 7 years, and the maximum observed length was 52 mm. There was no apparent sexual dimorphism, and sexual maturity was reached at the age of 2 years. Fecundity was low, between 1500–15000 glochidia per female, and positively correlated with body length. Only one annual gametogenic cycle was identified, leading to a short‐term reproductive period in spring (tachyticity). The reproductive cycle was similar in the two years sampled, between which hydrology and water quality differed greatly. The presence of glochidia was synchronized with the period when the proportion of fish hosts (genus Squalius) was higher in the fish community. Unio tumidiformis seems to be well adapted to the natural variability in flow in temporary Mediterranean‐type streams. Modifications of the natural flow regime caused by climate change or increased water exploitation may lead to rapid declines in mussel populations.

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Host specificity and metamorphosis of the glochidium of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Cited by 15 publications

References 30 publications

Early stages of Margaritifera margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon: Morphopathological characterization

Early stages of Margaritifera margaritifera glochidiosis in Atlantic salmon: Morphopathological characterization

Fish and mussels: Importance of fish for freshwater mussel conservation

Life history of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in a temporary Mediterranean‐type stream

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