The Ecological Significance of Helminth Endoparasites on the Physiological Performance of Two Sympatric Fishes

Lutterschmidt, William I.; Schaefer, Jacob; Fiorillo, Riccardo A.

doi:10.1654/4248.1

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Existing literature on the interactions between infection and the upper thermal tolerance of animals is limited to six marine mollusk host species, one freshwater mollusk host species, eight freshwater fish host species, and one amphibian host species (a newt), with trematodes as the dominant parasite (Table 3 ). Whereas upper thermal tolerance of hosts was enhanced in only 10.5% (2/19) of these host-parasite systems and did not change in 31.5% (6/19) of these systems, our finding that Bd infections lowered host thermal tolerance is consistent with 58% (11/19) of host thermal responses to parasites (Table 3 ), including the only previous study of thermal thresholds in parasitized amphibians 19 and similar studies of parasitized fish 20 , 21 and mollusks 22 – 28 . What does this mean for the present and coming decades, during which animals will face unprecedented changes in the global climate and in rates of infectious disease emergence?…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Fungal diseases are currently emerging at record rates, posing a direct threat to global biodiversity in the face of climate change 18 . Reduced maximum thermal tolerance can be a major side effect of infections in amphibians 19 , fish 20 , 21 , and mollusks 22 – 28 . For example, ill newts Notophthalmus viridescens infected with a mesomycetozoan parasite had lower CT max than uninfected newts (by 0.6–1.7 °C) 19 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Infection increases vulnerability to climate change via effects on host thermal tolerance

Greenspan

Bower

Roznik

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Unprecedented global climate change and increasing rates of infectious disease emergence are occurring simultaneously. Infection with emerging pathogens may alter the thermal thresholds of hosts. However, the effects of fungal infection on host thermal limits have not been examined. Moreover, the influence of infections on the heat tolerance of hosts has rarely been investigated within the context of realistic thermal acclimation regimes and potential anthropogenic climate change. We tested for effects of fungal infection on host thermal tolerance in a model system: frogs infected with the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Infection reduced the critical thermal maxima (CTmax) of hosts by up to ~4 °C. Acclimation to realistic daily heat pulses enhanced thermal tolerance among infected individuals, but the magnitude of the parasitism effect usually exceeded the magnitude of the acclimation effect. In ectotherms, behaviors that elevate body temperature may decrease parasite performance or increase immune function, thereby reducing infection risk or the intensity of existing infections. However, increased heat sensitivity from infections may discourage these protective behaviors, even at temperatures below critical maxima, tipping the balance in favor of the parasite. We conclude that infectious disease could lead to increased uncertainty in estimates of species’ vulnerability to climate change.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection increases vulnerability to climate change via effects on host thermal tolerance

Greenspan

Bower

Roznik

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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show abstract

“…Likewise, Atlantic salmon parr subjected to repeat swim trials following tag insertion died following a second swim trial at 15°C if the tag-insertion site became infected, but did not die at 6°C, suggesting a temperature-related mortality (Morgan & Roberts 1976). Studies in non-salmonids have yielded similar findings, where Lutterschmidt, Schaefer & Fiorillo (2007) reported that helminth parasite load was significantly correlated with decreases in both endurance and thermal tolerance in two species of centrarchids.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 79%

Effects of temperature on disease progression and swimming stamina in Ichthyophonus‐infected rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Kocan

Hershberger

Sanders

et al. 2009

Journal of Fish Diseases

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Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were infected with Ichthyophonus sp. and held at 10 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C for 28 days to monitor mortality and disease progression. Infected fish demonstrated more rapid onset of disease, higher parasite load, more severe host tissue reaction and reduced mean-day-to-death at higher temperature. In a second experiment, Ichthyophonus-infected fish were reared at 15 degrees C for 16 weeks then subjected to forced swimming at 10 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Stamina improved significantly with increased temperature in uninfected fish; however, this was not observed for infected fish. The difference in performance between infected and uninfected fish became significant at 15 degrees C (P = 0.02) and highly significant at 20 degrees C (P = 0.005). These results have implications for changes in the ecology of fish diseases in the face of global warming and demonstrate the effects of higher temperature on the progression and severity of ichthyophoniasis as well as on swimming stamina, a critical fitness trait of salmonids. This study helps explain field observations showing the recent emergence of clinical ichthyophoniasis in Yukon River Chinook salmon later in their spawning migration when water temperatures were high, as well as the apparent failure of a substantial percentage of infected fish to successfully reach their natal spawning areas.

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“…However, related species from the same location can differ in their ability to resist cold and heat because of different ranges of geographical distributions (Renault et al , 2005; Calosi et al , 2008); the use of shelters, feeding and breeding resources in a particular environment (i.e. different microclimatic habitats) (DeVito et al , 2004; Lutterschmidt et al , 2007); and different phenologies (i.e. different daily or seasonal climatic events experienced) (Hoffmann et al , 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal tolerance of sympatric hymenopteran parasitoid species: does it match seasonal activity?

Lann

Roux

Serain

et al. 2010

Physiological Entomology

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Climatic changes result in an increased in mean temperature and in a higher incidence of extreme weather events such as heat and cold waves. For ectotherms, such as insect parasitoids, the ability to remain active under extreme climatic conditions is a significant key to fitness. The body size of individuals, and in particular their surface to volume ratio, may play a role in their resistance to thermal conditions. The thermal tolerances are investigated of two closely-related sympatric parasitoid species [Aphidius avenae Haliday and Aphidius rhopalosiphi De StefaniPerez (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae)] that have a similar ecology but differ in body size and phenologies. The critical thermal limits of individuals are assessed in both sexes of each parasitoid species and the influence of surface-volume ratios on their thermal tolerances. Aphidius avenae is less resistant to low temperatures and more resistant to high temperatures than A. rhopalosiphi. The lower surface to volume ratio of A. avenae individuals may help them to remain active in summer when experiencing heat waves. However, body size is not the sole factor that plays a role in differences of thermal tolerance between species and body size may not be an adaptation to extreme temperatures but rather a by-product of developmental regulation. Closelyrelated sympatric species from the same ecological guild can have different thermal tolerances that may allow them to occur within the same habitat. The present study also highlights the importance of clearly defining how to measure critical thermal limits to determine the thermal tolerance of a species.

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The Ecological Significance of Helminth Endoparasites on the Physiological Performance of Two Sympatric Fishes

Cited by 14 publications

References 37 publications

Infection increases vulnerability to climate change via effects on host thermal tolerance

Infection increases vulnerability to climate change via effects on host thermal tolerance

Effects of temperature on disease progression and swimming stamina in Ichthyophonus‐infected rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Thermal tolerance of sympatric hymenopteran parasitoid species: does it match seasonal activity?

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