Monogenean parasite communities in asexual-sexual Carassius auratus complex
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Based on Red Queen hypothesis, the dynamics of host-parasite co-evolutionary interactions is predicted. The most common host genotype is the target of parasite adaptation and should present the most commonly parasitized genotype. By this way, genetically homogenous asexual organisms may be disadvantaged when compared to the genetically variable sexual organisms. Carassius auratus (Cyprinidae) is the complex of forms or species combining asexual (gynogenetic) and sexual reproduction. The combination of two reproduction strategies represents a high level of invasive success of this species complex. The aims of this study were to investigate the temporal changes in the intensity of infection of monogenean parasites in the metazoan parasite communities in asexual (gynogenetic triploid form) and sexual diploid form of C. auratus complex. All fish specimens were genotyped for mtDNA and only the specimens determined as C. gibelio (the most common form of C. auratus) genotypes were selected for the analyses. A total of 7 species of Dactylogyrus, 3 species of Gyrodactylus and Paradiplozoon homoion were identified in C. gibelio. The maximum prevalence and the highest intensity of infection were found for the following monogenean species: Dactylogyrus dulkeiti, Dactylogyrus anchoratus, Gyrodactylus sprostonae in both forms of gibel carp. In overall comparison, our analyses revealed similar values for monogenean infection in gynogenetic females and sexual individuals. However, our study revealed a temporal variation in parasite load in both forms which could potentially be explained by the dynamics of host-parasite interactions predicted by Red Queen hypothesis. |
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