Ecomorphology of parasite attachment: experiments with feather lice

The Journal of Parasitology
Sarah E BushDale H Clayton

Abstract

The host specificity of some parasites can be reinforced by morphological specialization for attachment to mobile hosts. For example, ectoparasites with adaptations for attaching to hosts of a particular size might not be able to remain attached to larger or smaller hosts. This hypothesis is suggested by the positive correlation documented between the body sizes of many parasites and their hosts. We adopted an ecomorphological approach to test the attachment hypothesis. We tested the ability of host-specific feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) to attach to 6 novel species of pigeons and doves that vary in size by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, Rock Pigeon lice (Columbicola columbae) remained attached equally well to all 6 novel host species. We tested the relative importance of 3 factors that could facilitate louse attachment: whole-body insertion, tarsal claw use, and mandible use. Insertion, per se, was not necessary for attachment. However, insertion on coarse feathers of large hosts allowed lice to access feather barbules with their mandibles. Mandible use was a key component of attachment regardless of feather size. Attachment constraints do not appear to reinforce host specificity in this system.

References

May 1, 1971·International Journal for Parasitology·B C Nelson, M D Murray
Jul 15, 1967·Nature·D A Humphries
Dec 16, 2003·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Dale H ClaytonKevin P Johnson
Feb 18, 2004·Systematic Biology·Dale H ClaytonKevin P Johnson
Dec 7, 2005·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Kevin P JohnsonDale H Clayton

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 26, 2011·Parasitology·Kevin P JohnsonDale H Clayton
Sep 29, 2011·The Journal of Parasitology·Jennifer A H KoopDale H Clayton
Nov 21, 2007·Trends in Parasitology·Robert Poulin, Devon B Keeney
Oct 13, 2015·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Sarah E BushKevin P Johnson
Aug 22, 2007·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Kevin P JohnsonDale H Clayton
Jan 16, 2008·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Sarah E Bush, Jael R Malenke
Sep 17, 2013·Journal of Field Ornithology·Jennifer A H Koop, Dale H Clayton
Nov 3, 2009·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·D M de VienneT Giraud
Dec 1, 2006·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Sarah E Bush, Dale H Clayton
Mar 20, 2014·The Journal of Parasitology·Christopher W Harbison, Rachel M Boughton
Nov 11, 2019·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Charles BaillieRobin M D Beck
Nov 1, 2008·Ecology·Christopher W HarbisonDale H Clayton
May 4, 2018·Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia·Hamilton Ometto StolfVidal Haddad Júnior
Jan 1, 2018·Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia·Hamilton Ometto StolfVidal Haddad Júnior
Feb 20, 2021·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·James G Baldwin-BrownMichael D Shapiro

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
dissecting

Software Mentioned

Scribbles

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
Sarah E Bush, Dale H Clayton
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Dale H ClaytonKevin P Johnson
The American Naturalist
Dale H ClaytonEdmund D Brodie Iii
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved