The relationship between endangered thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) and its host fishes

Taeubert, Jens‐Eike; Martínez, A.; Gum, Bernhard; Geist, Juergen

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2012.06.005

Cited by 48 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Host fish testing has been conducted using various methods to determine suitable fish for specific freshwater mussels and understand the host–parasite relationship (Zale & Neves, ; Allen et al ., ; Douda, Horký & Bílý, ; Lima et al ., ; Taeubert, Gum & Geist, , ; Taeubert et al ., ). It is recognised that laboratory methods do not replicate natural processes; however, it is a first step to understanding what may happen naturally in a controlled setting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multi‐basin approach determines variability in host fish suitability for unionids in tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes

2016

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Summary Freshwater mussel populations have declined, in part, from changes in host communities. However, it is unknown if fish from adjacent catchments could be used to augment mussel populations in the Great Lakes inland rivers, and if so, whether this association would be impacted by known genetic structure in mussels and fish. This study tested how host fish origin (i.e. catchment) impacts the transformation of the endangered unionid Epioblasma triquetra from larval into juvenile life stages while concurrently considering potentially genetically distinct populations of mussels and hosts. We quantitatively determined if Percina caprodes and Percina maculata from the Lake Michigan, Erie and Huron basins are laboratory‐successful hosts for E. triquetra. Experiments were performed in autumn and spring to document any seasonal effects on transformation. Percina caprodes was reconfirmed to be a successful host for E. triquetra, and for the first time, P. maculata was also determined to be a successful host in the Great Lakes region. Results suggest no differences in juvenile transformation with allopatric and sympatric fish and mussel pairings based on Great Lakes basin origin; therefore, transformation success may not parallel differences in genetic structure. In addition, results suggest seasonal differences in the developmental stages of E. triquetra juveniles. Knowing the most efficient strategy to optimise juvenile transformations can make reintroductions, augmentation and overall conservation efforts of E. triquetra successful. These data will help in developing recovery strategies for E. triquetra in the Laurentian Great Lakes by understanding variation in host use and nuances in this host–parasite relationship.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multi‐basin approach determines variability in host fish suitability for unionids in tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes

2016

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“…Taeubert et al (2012) also recorded the occurrence of bitterlings in streams with large populations of U. crassus, although they did not report on the reproductive relationship. Doubtless, over time, the habitats now occupied (in terms of mussels) only by U. crassus will be invaded by the bitterling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The endangered thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus): a new host species for the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus)

et al. 2017

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Large freshwater mussels (Unionoida) are declining throughout the world. The European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782) female spawns its eggs inside the unionids' shells, where fertilisation and further embryonic development take place; thus its reproduction depends fully on the presence of large freshwater mussels. Unio crassus, previously regarded as one of the most numerous unionids in Europe, is now listed in the IUCN Red Data List as being globally endangered. Despite its previous prevalence, it was never reported as a host for the bitterling. A large population of U. crassus was studied in small river at the Świętokrzyskie Mts (Poland), where also electrofishing was conducted. In each bitterling territory located on the study plots, we found individuals of U. crassus, with the bitterling eggs or larvae developing on mussel's gills. That proves that this species can be also used by the bitterling for reproduction. We suggest that this relationship has not been reported to date due to the mussels' rarity and ongoing decline. However, it is also possible that the endangered mussel is a novel host for the bitterling, which is expanding its range throughout Europe.

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“…mass‐exposure in 70 L of still water) was used in all experimental infections mentioned throughout the paper. Though individual exposure is sometimes recommended (Douda, and references therein), simultaneous exposure of the group of fish is commonly used in experimental parasitological practice (e.g., Gopko, Mikheev, & Taskinen, , ; Seppälä, Karvonen, & Valtonen, ; Seppälä et al., ; Taeubert, Gum, & Geist, ; Taeubert, Martinez, Gum, & Geist, ). Such “mass‐exposure” approach is especially logical when studying fish, which spend a substantial amount of time in shoals (Taeubert et al., ) as juvenile salmonids do (Brännäs, Jonsson, & Lundqvist, ; Hicks & Watson, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following Taeubert et al. (, ) five fish from each tank were sacrificed randomly 3 days postexposure to check for infection success. We found successful infection (ranging from 19 to 782 glochidia per fish with mean ± SD = 313.0 ± 239.3) in glochidia exposed fish, while fish from the control group had no glochidia.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions between two parasites of brown trout (Salmo trutta): Consequences of preinfection

Gopko

Chowdhury

Taskinen

2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Preinfection by one parasitic species may facilitate or by contrast hamper the subsequent penetration and/or establishment of other parasites in a host. The biology of interacting species, timing of preinfection, and dosage of subsequent parasite exposure are likely important variables in this multiparasite dynamic infection process. The increased vulnerability to subsequent infection can be an important and often overlooked factor influencing parasite virulence. We investigated how the preinfection by freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera glochidia could influence the success of subsequent infection by the common trematode Diplostomum pseudospathaceum in brown trout Salmo trutta and vice versa whether preinfection by the trematode made fish more susceptible to glochidia infection. The first experiment was repeated twice with different (low and high) exposure doses to initiate the subsequent trematode infection, while in the second experiment we varied the timing of the preinfection with trematodes. The preinfection with glochidia made fish more vulnerable to subsequent infection with trematodes. Since the trematodes penetrate through the gills, we suggest that increased host vulnerability was most likely the result of increased respiration caused by the freshwater pearl mussel glochidia encysted on gills. In turn, brown trout preinfected with trematodes were more vulnerable to the subsequent glochidial infection, but only if they were preinfected shortly before the subsequent infection (20 hr). Fish preinfected with trematodes earlier (2 weeks before the subsequent infection) did not differ in their vulnerability to glochidia. These effects were observed at moderate intensities of infections similar to those that occur in nature. Our study demonstrates how the timing and sequence of exposure to parasitic species can influence infection success in a host–multiparasite system. It indicates that the negative influence of glochidia on host fitness is likely to be underestimated and that this should be taken into consideration when organizing freshwater pearl mussel restoration procedures.

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The relationship between endangered thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) and its host fishes

Cited by 48 publications

References 15 publications

A multi‐basin approach determines variability in host fish suitability for unionids in tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes

A multi‐basin approach determines variability in host fish suitability for unionids in tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes

The endangered thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus): a new host species for the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus)

Interactions between two parasites of brown trout (Salmo trutta): Consequences of preinfection

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