Effect of infection with Metacercariae of Himasthla elongata (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) on cardiac activity and growth rate in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in situ

Trematode parasites can affect their molluscan hosts, which serve as the first intermediate hosts in their life cycles, in manifold ways, but little is known about trematode-induced effects on their second intermediate hosts. Experimental infection of blue mussels Mytilus edulis serving as second in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sea research 2017-05, Vol.123, p.51-54
Main Authors: Bakhmet, Igor, Nikolaev, Kirill, Levakin, Ivan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Blue mussel
Elongation
Experimental infection
Field tests
Growth rate
Heart diseases
Heart rate
Hosts
Larvae
Life cycles
Manifolds
Marine invertebrates
Marine molluscs
Mussels
Mytilus edulis
Oscillations
Parasites
Rhythms
Temperature
Trematodes
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Summary:Trematode parasites can affect their molluscan hosts, which serve as the first intermediate hosts in their life cycles, in manifold ways, but little is known about trematode-induced effects on their second intermediate hosts. Experimental infection of blue mussels Mytilus edulis serving as second intermediate hosts for larval stages (metacercariae) of the trematodes Himasthla elongata was studied in field experiments during one year. The heart rates and growth rates of noninfected mussels were significantly higher than those of infected mussels. During the summer, the heart rates of noninfected mussels showed rhythmic oscillations, whereas the parasitized animals displayed no any rhythmicity. There was a significant difference between the infected and uninfected mussels in relation to heart rates and temperature. The results indicate that mussels infected with H. elongata metacercariae may be at an energetic disadvantage relative to noninfected mussels. Furthermore, trematode infection may disrupt neuronal control of cardiac function. •Our manuscript may contribute to debate of heart activity and parasite infection correlation.•The negative effect of trematodes infection on heart rate and growth rate of mussels was shown.•The lost of specific rhythmicity of heart rate of mussels was found.•It is the first investigation of infected blue mussels in situ.
ISSN:1385-1101
1873-1414
DOI:10.1016/j.seares.2017.03.012