How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2007 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE BEHAVIORAL TRAITS IN A COMMUNITY OF FURCOCERCARIAE TREMATODES: TOOLS FOR SPECIES SEPARATION?
M. J. Santos, A. Karvonen, J. C. Pedro, A. Faltýnková, O. Seppälä, E. T. Valtonen
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Many trematode cercariae show distinct behavioral features, which have commonly been used in species identification in combination with morphological characteristics. However, information regarding cercariae behavior has often not been quantified in detail, or it is scattered in the literature, which is why the appropriate level of precision in behavioral identity, particularly in groups of cercariae species showing considerable morphological overlap, has not been properly established. In this study, we investigated one such group, the furcocercariae trematodes, by studying their behavior in a community consisting of 8 species (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, Ichthyocotylurus variegatus, Cotylurus brevis, Cercaria spinulosa, Australapatemom sp., Australapatemom burti, Sanguinicola sp., and Bilharziella polonica) in central Finland. Our aim was not to develop an identification formula on the basis of behavior but to investigate and propose characteristic measurements applicable in separation of cercariae species. We used a 2-level approach, first recording qualitative behavioral traits of the cercariae, including swimming type and resting position; and, second, more detailed quantitative behavioral characteristics, such as resting time, swimming time, and swimming speed. Essentially, species showing a 2-phase behavior were distinguishable according to qualitative traits (resting position), whereas with those showing continuous swimming behavior, a combination of qualitative and quantitative traits (swimming speed) was required. These results suggest that characteristics of cercariae behavior can not only be used in species identification but also in general life history comparisons investigating details of the cercariae transmission.

M. J. Santos, A. Karvonen, J. C. Pedro, A. Faltýnková, O. Seppälä, and E. T. Valtonen "QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE BEHAVIORAL TRAITS IN A COMMUNITY OF FURCOCERCARIAE TREMATODES: TOOLS FOR SPECIES SEPARATION?," Journal of Parasitology 93(6), 1319-1323, (1 December 2007). https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-1225.1
Received: 14 February 2007; Accepted: 1 May 2007; Published: 1 December 2007
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top