Fixed behaviours and migration in parasitic flatworms

This paper considers how fixed behaviours may play a role in post-larval migrations of Entobdella soleae. A general argument is that a shift away from the paradigm of orientation is required to elucidate the mechanisms that parasites use to navigate on the surface of their hosts. Some migrations may...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal for Parasitology 2002-03, Vol.32 (3), p.329-342
Main Authors: Sukhdeo, M.V.K, Sukhdeo, S.C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Migration
Animals
Ecosystem
Entobdella soleae
Fasciola hepatica
Fish Diseases - parasitology
Fishes - parasitology
Fixed action patterns
Host-Parasite Interactions - genetics
Host-Parasite Interactions - physiology
Migration
Orientation
Parasite behaviour
Platyhelminths - genetics
Platyhelminths - physiology
Population Dynamics
Releaser responses
Sheep - parasitology
Sheep Diseases - parasitology
Umwelt
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Summary:This paper considers how fixed behaviours may play a role in post-larval migrations of Entobdella soleae. A general argument is that a shift away from the paradigm of orientation is required to elucidate the mechanisms that parasites use to navigate on the surface of their hosts. Some migrations may rely on fixed behaviours (genetically programmed stereotyped behaviours) that often evolve under predictable environmental conditions with reliable signals. In turbulent and stochastic free-living environments, homeostatic hosts present very predictable topological substrates and physico-chemical characteristics to their parasites. Over the course of evolution on these predictable host substrates, adaptive behaviours in the parasites can become fixed. Examples of endoparasite migration behaviour, particularly that of the common liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, will be used to develop an approach based on the perceptual worlds of migrating parasites. An important conclusion is that multi-disciplinary approaches, firmly rooted in an understanding of each parasite's natural history, are requisite to successful interpretation of migration behaviours on the host.
ISSN:0020-7519
1879-0135
DOI:10.1016/S0020-7519(01)00334-4