Surveys and Literature Review of Parasites among African Mole-Rats: Proposing Hypotheses for the Roles of Geography, Ecology, and Host Phylogenetic Relatedness in Parasite Sharing

Lutermann, Heike; Ueckermann, Edward A.; Junker, Kerstin; Bennett, Nigel C.

doi:10.1645/18-103

Cited by 2 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In fact, for bathyergids there is some evidence for such evolutionary forces having acted on mesostigmatid mites of the genus Androlaelaps. Although they are not necessarily restricted to social bathyergids, the majority of the species parasitizing Bathyergidae have not been reported for any other host family (Lutermann et al, 2019). Overall, it appears that selection pressures exerted by behavioral strategies employed by social bathyergids should be stronger than those posed by immune strategies as the latter are less likely to differ from those encountered in solitary hosts or those with multiple breeders.…”

Section: Selection On Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Exploiting the subterranean niche may have aided in the evolution of sociality by reducing the exposure to parasites. It has been noted repeatedly that subterranean rodents have a significantly impoverished macroparasite species richness compared to similar sized terrestrial species while microparasite infection has rarely been studied (Scharff et al, 1996;Bartel and Gardner, 2000;Rossin and Malizia, 2002;Hubálek et al, 2005;Rossin et al, 2010;Viljoen et al, 2011b;Cutrera et al, 2014;Lutermann et al, 2015Lutermann et al, , 2019Archer et al, 2017;Fagir et al, 2021). However, since the majority of the other subterranean rodent families comprises mostly of solitary species and none are singular breeders (Jarvis and Bennett, 1993), a reduction of parasite exposure in the subterranean niche alone cannot account for the prevalence of singular breeding species among Bathyergidae.…”

Section: Parasite Transmission and The Subterranean Nichementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, selection on defenses against these types of parasites should be low in social bathyergids. While no flying vectors are known for Bathyergidae, a number of relatively mobile vectors such as fleas have been reported for several bathyergids (Lutermann et al, 2019;Fagir et al, 2021). Fleas can either be directly transmitted between hosts or via shared space use such as nests (Krasnov, 2008).…”

Section: Interplay Between Sociality Parasite Mode Of Transmission An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, solitary G. capensis were also negative for these microparasites. Only two tick species, less mobile vectors with environmental transmission, have been reported for solitary Bathyergidae and both species appear to be host generalists parasitizing a range of small mammals (Horak et al, 2018;Lutermann et al, 2019; Table 2). Microparasites are the least studied parasites for Bathyergidae and natural infections have only been assessed for one fungal (Emmonsia parva) and two bacterial taxa (Bacillus cereus and Mycoplasma spp.).…”

Section: Interplay Between Sociality Parasite Mode Of Transmission An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Socializing in an Infectious World: The Role of Parasites in Social Evolution of a Unique Rodent Family

Lutermann

2022

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Transmission of parasites between hosts is facilitated by close contact of hosts. Consequently, parasites have been proposed as an important constraint to the evolution of sociality accounting for its rarity. Despite the presumed costs associated with parasitism, the majority of species of African mole-rats (Family: Bathyergidae) are social. In fact, only the extremes of sociality (i.e., solitary and singular breeding) are represented in this subterranean rodent family. But how did bathyergids overcome the costs of parasitism? Parasite burden is a function of the exposure and susceptibility of a host to parasites. In this review I explore how living in sealed burrow systems and the group defenses that can be employed by closely related group members can effectively reduce the exposure and susceptibility of social bathyergids to parasites. Evidence suggests that this can be achieved largely by investment in relatively cheap and flexible behavioral rather than physiological defense mechanisms. This also shifts the selection pressure for parasites on successful transmission between group members rather than transmission between groups. In turn, this constrains the evolution of virulence and favors socially transmitted parasites (e.g., mites and lice) further reducing the costs of parasitism for social Bathyergidae. I conclude by highlighting directions for future research to evaluate the mechanisms proposed and to consider parasites as facilitators of social evolution not only in this rodent family but also other singular breeders.

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Section: Selection On Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Parasite Transmission and The Subterranean Nichementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Interplay Between Sociality Parasite Mode Of Transmission An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Interplay Between Sociality Parasite Mode Of Transmission An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Socializing in an Infectious World: The Role of Parasites in Social Evolution of a Unique Rodent Family

Lutermann

2022

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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“…For example, fossorial species (e.g. mole rats) that make complex permanent underground nests generally harbour a high proportion of mites that are associated with soil and the host nest (Archer et al, 2014;Lutermann et al, 2015Lutermann et al, , 2020. Similarly, arboreal species (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and distribution of ectoparasite taxa associated with Micaelamys namaquensis (Rodentia: Muridae), an opportunistic commensal rodent species in South Africa

et al. 2022

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South Africa boasts a rich diversity of small mammals of which several are commensal and harbour parasites of zoonotic importance. However, limited information is available on the parasite diversity and distribution associated with rodents in South Africa. This is particularly relevant for Micaelamys namaquensis (Namaqua rock mouse), a regionally widespread and locally abundant species that is often commensal. To address the paucity of data, the aims of the study were to record the ectoparasite diversity associated with M. namaquensis and develop distribution maps of lice and mites associated with M. namaquensis and other rodents in South Africa. Micaelamys namaquensis individuals (n = 216) were obtained from 12 localities representing multiple biomes during 2017–2018. A total of 5591 ectoparasites representing 5 taxonomic groups – fleas, lice, mesostigmatid mites, chiggers and ticks was recorded. These consisted of at least 57 taxa of which ticks were the most speciose (20 taxa). Novel contributions include new host and locality data for several ectoparasite taxa and undescribed chigger species. Known vector species were recorded which included fleas (Ctenocephalides felis, Dinopsyllus ellobius and Xenopsylla brasiliensis) and ticks (Haemaphysalis elliptica, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus). Locality records indicate within-taxon geographic differences between the 2 louse species and the 2 most abundant mite species. It is clear that M. namaquensis hosts a rich diversity of ectoparasite taxa and, as such, is an important rodent species to monitor in habitats where it occurs in close proximity to humans and domestic animals.

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Surveys and Literature Review of Parasites among African Mole-Rats: Proposing Hypotheses for the Roles of Geography, Ecology, and Host Phylogenetic Relatedness in Parasite Sharing

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Socializing in an Infectious World: The Role of Parasites in Social Evolution of a Unique Rodent Family

Socializing in an Infectious World: The Role of Parasites in Social Evolution of a Unique Rodent Family

Diversity and distribution of ectoparasite taxa associated with Micaelamys namaquensis (Rodentia: Muridae), an opportunistic commensal rodent species in South Africa

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