Copepod consumption by amphibians and fish with implications for transmission of Dracunculus species

Erin K. Box; Christopher A. Cleveland; Kayla B. Garrett; Ryan K. Grunert; Katherine Hutchins; Ania A. Majewska; Alec T. Thompson; Seth T. Wyckoff; Coles Ehlers; Michael J. Yabsley

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife (Aug 2021)

Copepod consumption by amphibians and fish with implications for transmission of Dracunculus species

Erin K. Box,
Christopher A. Cleveland,
Kayla B. Garrett,
Ryan K. Grunert,
Katherine Hutchins,
Ania A. Majewska,
Alec T. Thompson,
Seth T. Wyckoff,
Coles Ehlers,
Michael J. Yabsley

Affiliations

Erin K. Box: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Corresponding author. University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, 30602, GA, USA.
Christopher A. Cleveland: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Kayla B. Garrett: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Ryan K. Grunert: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Katherine Hutchins: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Ania A. Majewska: Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, 30322, GA, USA
Alec T. Thompson: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Seth T. Wyckoff: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Coles Ehlers: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Young Scholars Program at the University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA
Michael J. Yabsley: Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15
pp. 231 – 237

Abstract

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Parasitic nematodes in the genus Dracunculus have a complex life cycle that requires more than one host species in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The most well-studied species, Dracunculus medinensis, is the causative agent of human Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis). There are several other Dracunculus species that infect non-human animals, primarily wildlife (reptiles and mammals). The classic route of D. medinensis transmission to humans is through the ingestion of water containing the intermediate host, a cyclopoid copepod, infected with third-stage larvae (L3s). However, many animal hosts (e.g., terrestrial snakes, dogs) of other Dracunculus sp. appear unlikely to ingest a large number of copepods while drinking. Therefore, alternative routes of infection (e.g., paratenic or transport hosts) may facilitate Dracunculus transmission to these species. To better understand the role of paratenic and transport hosts in Dracunculus transmission to animal definitive hosts, we compared copepod ingestion rates for aquatic species (fish, frogs [tadpoles and adults], and newts) which may serve as paratenic or transport hosts. We hypothesized that fish would consume more copepods than amphibians. Our findings confirm that African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) and fish consume copepods, but that fish ingest, on average, significantly higher numbers (68% [34/50]) than adult African clawed frogs (36% [18/50]) during a 24-h time period. Our results suggest that amphibians and fish may play a role in the transmission of Dracunculus to definitive hosts. Still, additional research is required to determine whether, in the wild, fish or frogs are serving as paratenic or transport hosts. If so, they may facilitate Dracunculus transmission. However, if these animals simply act as dead-end hosts or as means of copepod population control, they may decrease Dracunculus transmission.

Published in International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

ISSN: 2213-2244 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-for-parasitology-parasites-and-wildlife/

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