Ligula intestinalis(Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea): an ideal fish-metazoan parasite model?

Abstract

S U M M A R YSince its use as a model to study metazoan parasite culture and in vitro development, the plerocercoid of the tapeworm, Ligula intestinalis, has served as a useful scientific tool to study a range of biological factors, particularly within its fish intermediate host. From the extensive long-term ecological studies on the interactions between the parasite and cyprinid hosts, to the recent advances made using molecular technology on parasite diversity and speciation, studies on the parasite have, over the last 60 years, led to significant advances in knowledge on host-parasite interactions. The parasite has served as a useful model to study pollution, immunology and parasite ecology and genetics, as well has being the archetypal endocrine disruptor.

Dynamics and effects of Ligula intestinalis (L.) infection in the native fish Barbus callensis Valenciennes, 1842 in Algeria

“…Along with other authors (e.g. Hoole et al 2010) we also highlight Ligula's unique role as a model to study the long-term effects of parasitization on host species dynamics.…”

“…Overall, the dynamics of the Ligula infection in the Hamiz appeared to be quite weak and of a temporary nature suggesting an epizootic cycle typical of this cestode parasite (Kennedy et al 2001, Hoole et al 2010. The size distribution of infected fish in earlier surveys is notable in this respect, with minimal infection of smaller fish.…”

“…For example, the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) is a common and widespread parasite with a life cycle comprising three hosts. Its life cycle includes a copepod and a fish as intermediate hosts, and a piscivorous bird, in which the parasite reaches sexual maturity, serving as the definitive host (Kennedy et al 2001;Loot et al 2001;Bouzid et al 2008;Hoole et al 2010;Kroupova et al 2012). Tapeworms of the L. intestinalis species complex infect a large range of freshwater Cyprinidae (Bouzid et al 2013), and are widespread throughout the northern hemisphere (Dubinina 1980).…”

Competition and Facilitation between a Disease and a Predator in a Stunted Prey Population

“…Even infection with a single parasite can act to sterilize the infected fish [ 12 ]. Furthermore, the parasite might induce behavioural changes, such as directing the infected fish to move to the littoral zone, where it can be caught more easily by the fish eating birds and thus complete the parasite life cycle [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Ligulaintestinalis infection is associated with alterations of both brain and gonad aromatase expression in roach (Rutilusrutilus)

“…All of these disturbances lead to a decrease in fertility of infected individuals, making L. intestinalis a major determinant of the population dynamics of the roach (Kennedy et al, 2001). Over the years, L. intestinalis has proved an invaluable fishmetazoan parasite model for ecological, immunological, ecotoxicological and endocrinological studies (Hoole et al, 2010).…”