Morpho-functional characterization and esterase patterns of the midgut of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) parasitized by Gregarina cuneata (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinidae)

Gigliolli, Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis; Lapenta, Ana Silva; Rúvolo-Takasusuki, Maria Cláudia Colla; Abrahão, Josielle; Conte, Hélio

doi:10.1016/j.micron.2015.04.008

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(76 reference statements)

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“…A slower development is often associated with a restriction in resources during early life development (Metcalfe and Monaghan 2001 ). In addition to nutrient deprivation, an accumulation of gregarines can hinder the passage of food or lead to morphological (e.g., damage of epithelial cells in midgut) and physiological alterations (e.g., impaired hormone regulation), interfering with the host development (Sanders and Poinar 1973 ; Gigliolli et al 2015 ). Overall, gregarines may cause metabolic costs, which ultimately lead to a delayed development, which was also reflected in the reduced larval body mass of P. cochleariae larvae at day 9 (see ESM S3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gregarines modulate insect responses to sublethal insecticide residues

et al. 2021

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Throughout their lifetime, insects face multiple environmental challenges that influence their performance. Gregarines are prevalent endoparasites in most invertebrates that affect the fitness of their hosts, but are often overlooked in ecological studies. Next to such biotic factors, a current common challenge is anthropogenic pollution with pesticides, which causes a major threat to non-target organisms that are readily exposed to lethal or sublethal concentrations. In a laboratory study, we investigated whether the presence of gregarines modulates the food consumption and life history traits of a (non-target) leaf beetle species, Phaedon cochleariae, in response to sublethal insecticide exposure. We show that the larval food consumption of the herbivore was neither affected by gregarine infection nor sublethal insecticide exposure. Nevertheless, infection with gregarines led to a delayed development, while insecticide exposure resulted in a lower body mass of adult males and a reduced reproduction of females. Individuals exposed to both challenges suffered most, as they had the lowest survival probability. This indicates detrimental effects on the population dynamics of non-target insects infected with naturally occurring gregarines that face additional stress from agrochemical pollution. Moreover, we found that the infection load with gregarines was higher in individuals exposed to sublethal insecticide concentrations compared to unexposed individuals. To counteract the global decline of insects, the potential of natural parasite infections in modulating insect responses to anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic environmental factors should be considered in ecological risk assessment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gregarines modulate insect responses to sublethal insecticide residues

et al. 2021

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“…This impact may be associated with a reduction in food availability caused by occlusion of the midgut by the parasites during development, as seen in Blattella germanica (Lopes & Alves, 2005) and Dermestes maculatus (Lord & Omoto, 2012). Similarly, it may be associated with physical damage in the microvillis to the digestive cells which reduces absorption and excretion, causing host malnutrition as observed in T. castaneum adults parasitized by G. cuneata (Gigliolli et al , 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to nutritional deficiencies, it is likely that other cell types as renegerative and endocrine cells are damaged, affecting hormone production and the regeneration of damaged tissue, as previously observed in T. castaneum parasitized by G. cuneata (Gigliolli et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our results contradict those of Valigurová (2012) for studies on T. molitor parasitized by G. cuneata. While in T. castaneum , the infection resulted in morphological and physiological changes in the host (Gigliolli et al ., 2015), with negative impacts on their development and survival, in T. molitor , the same parasite might have favored the development, fitness, and survival of the parasitized insects (Valigurová, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gregarina cuneata Stein 1848 (Eugregarinorida: Gregarinidae) naturally infects populations of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as described by Ishii (1914), Hoshide (1979) and Gigliolli et al . (2015). This insect infests stored grains and by-products, causing quantitative and qualitative production losses (Smiderle, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The life cycle of Gregarina cuneata in the midgut of Tribolium castaneum and the effects of parasitism on the development of insects

Gigliolli

Julio

Conte

2016

Bull. Entomol. Res.

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Tribolium castaneum Herbst 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), an important pest of stored grains and byproducts, is naturally infected by Gregarina cuneata Stein 1848 (Apicomplexa: Gregarinidae). Changes in the life cycle of insects caused by the parasite development in the midgut were studied. Trophozoites, gamonts (solitary and associated), and gametocysts were present in the midgut of the insects. In young trophozoites, the apical region differentiated into an epimerite that firmly attached the parasite to the host epithelial cells. With maturation, trophozoites developed in gamonts that were associated with the initiation of sexual reproduction in the cell cycle, culminating in the formation of the spherical gametocyst. Morpho-functional analyses indicated that gregarines absorb nutrients from infected cells and can occlude the midgut as they develop. Consequently, nutritional depletion may interfere with the host's physiology, causing decreased growth, delayed development, and high mortality rates of the parasitized insects. These results suggest G. cuneata could be an important biological agent for controlling T. castaneum in integrated pest management programs.

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Anatomical changes of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum during complete metamorphosis

Vommaro,

Donato,

Caputo

et al. 2024

Cell Tissue Res

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In holometabolous insects, extensive reorganisation of tissues and cells occurs at the pupal stage. The remodelling of the external exoskeleton and internal organs that intervenes during metamorphosis has been traditionally studied in many insect species based on histological or ultrastructural methods. This study demonstrates the use of synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast micro-computed tomography as a powerful, non-destructive tool for in situ morphological observation of anatomical structures at the pupal stage in two Tenebrionid beetles, i.e. Tribolium castaneum and Tenebrio molitor, known as important pests, as well as emerging and promising models in experimental biology. Virtual sections and three-dimensional reconstructions were performed on both males and females at early, intermediate, and late pupal stage. The dataset allowed us to observe the remodelling of the gut and nervous system as well as the shaping of the female and male reproductive system at different pupal ages in both mealworm and red flour beetles. Moreover, we observed that the timing and duration pattern of organ development varied between the species analysed, likely related to the species-specific adaptations of the pre-imaginal stages to environmental conditions, which ultimately affect their life cycle. This research provides new knowledge on the morphological modifications that occur during the pupal stage of holometabolous insects and provides a baseline set of information on beetle metamorphosis that may support future research in forensics, physiology, and ecology as well as an image atlas for educational purposes.

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Morpho-functional characterization and esterase patterns of the midgut of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) parasitized by Gregarina cuneata (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinidae)

Cited by 14 publications

References 75 publications

Gregarines modulate insect responses to sublethal insecticide residues

Gregarines modulate insect responses to sublethal insecticide residues

The life cycle of Gregarina cuneata in the midgut of Tribolium castaneum and the effects of parasitism on the development of insects

Anatomical changes of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum during complete metamorphosis

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