The three hosts of the Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda) life cycle in Lavernose-Lacasse gravel pit, France

Abstract

The life cycle of Ligula intestinalis, a pseudophyllidean cestode, was studstitute the hosts necessary for complete parasite development. In order to determine the actual species likely to be responsible for the very high level of parasitism observed, a two-year study was carried out. Our results show that the copepod Eudiaptonaus gracilis, the roach (Rutilus rutilus) and the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) were the most favourable hosts for continuation of the parasite life cycle. The study shows how alterations exerted by infective larval stages of L. intestinalis affect the population dynamics of roach.

Encounter rate between local populations shapes host selection in complex parasite life cycle

“…In the present study P. cristatus , E. gracilis , and R. rutilus had the highest encounter score. This is consistent with our field and experimental results describing L. intestinalis hosts and life cycle in the Lavernose gravel pit (Loot et al ., 2001). Similarities in host cycles could therefore be an important factor shaping host selection.…”

“…The density of each species varied along the year and each species exhibited its own temporal dynamics (Fig. 2B) (for more details, see Loot et al ., 2001). Six species of aquatic birds were recorded during the surveys (Fig.…”

“…In Lavernose-Lacasse, the two most abundant cyprinid fish species were the roach Rutilus rutilus (65.7% of the total number of fish) and the silver bream Blicca bjoerkna (31.9%) (Loot et al ., 2001). Roach was significantly more abundant than bream ( Fig.…”

“…Considering parasites with complex life cycles, such as L. intestinalis , it can be hypothesized that a similar process could occur at each stage of the parasite life cycle. Although numerous reports showed that L. intestinalis is able to exploit a large range of host species at each stage in the life cycle (Dubinina, 1980; Gerdeaux, 1986; Bean & Winfield, 1992; Museth, 2001; Barus & Prokes, 2002), field studies have demonstrated that L. intestinalis presents a high local host‐specificity (Harris & Wheeler, 1974; Bean & Winfield, 1989; Loot et al ., 2001). Indeed, field work and experimental infestation showed that the copepod E. gracilis , the roach ( R. rutilus ), and the great crested grebe ( P. cristatus ) were the most favourable hosts for continuation of the parasite life cycle in Lavernose‐Lacasse gravel pit (Loot et al ., 2001).…”

The occurrence and dynamics of Ligula intestinalis in its cyprinid fish host, tench, Tinca tinca, in MoganLake (Ankara, Turkey)

“…Since the worms acquire maturity in 3-5 days in the bird host, infected piscivorous birds are scarcely observed in natural conditions (Loot et al, 2001b). Thus it is difficult to determine which the bird species play a key role in the transmission of L. intestinalis in Mogan Lake.…”