Interactions among two strains of Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) and Myxobolus cerebralis (Myxozoa)

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
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Abstract

Host-parasite interactions influence host population growth, host evolution and parasite success. We examined the interactions among Myxobolus cerebralis, the parasite that causes salmonid whirling disease, and resistant and susceptible strains of the oligochaete host Tubifex tubifex. Strains of T. tubifex with diverse genotypes often coexist in nature and have variable susceptibilities to M. cerebralis infection. Further, parasite proliferation differs by several orders of magnitude among T. tubifex strains. We examined total biomass produced by individual T. tubifex, including progeny production and adult growth, parasite proliferation and prevalence of infection using 2 strains of T. tubifex at 2 myxospore doses in a response-surface experimental design. Total biomass production per individual oligochaete and progeny biomass produced by an individual adult oligochaete were density-dependent for both resistant and susceptible individuals and the effects did not change with the addition of myxospores. However, both resistant and susceptible adults had highest growth when exposed to M. cerebralis. The presence of resistant oligochaetes in mixed cultures did not reduce the infection prevalence or parasite proliferation in susceptible individuals. In natural aquatic communities, resistant strains of T. tubifex may not reduce the effects of M. cerebralis on the salmonid host, particularly if sufficient numbers of susceptible T. tubifex are present. ?? Inter-Research 2006.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Interactions among two strains of Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) and Myxobolus cerebralis (Myxozoa)
Series title Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
DOI 10.3354/dao068131
Volume 68
Issue 2
Year Published 2006
Language English
Publisher Inter-Research
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 9 p.
First page 131
Last page 139
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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