Expression of trematode-induced zombie-ant behavior is strongly associated with temperature.

Parasite-induced modification of host behavior increasing transmission to a next host is a common phenomenon. However, field-based studies are rare, and the role of environmental factors in eliciting host behavioral modification is often not considered. We examined the effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH), time of day, date, and an irradiation proxy on behavioral modification of the ant (Förster, 1850) by the brain-encysting lancet liver fluke (Rudolphi, 1819).

Quantifying synergistic interactions: a meta-analysis of joint effects of chemical and parasitic stressors.

The global biodiversity crisis emphasizes our need to understand how different stressors (climatic, chemical, parasitic, etc.) interact and affect biological communities. We provide a comprehensive meta-analysis investigating joint effects of chemical and parasitic stressors for 1064 chemical-parasitic combinations using the Multiplicative model on mortality of arthropods.

Differences in life stage sensitivity of the beetle Tenebrio molitor towards a pyrethroid insecticide explained by stage-specific variations in uptake, elimination and activity of detoxifying enzymes.

It is widely accepted that sensitivity towards pesticides varies significantly between species. Much less is known about the potential differences in pesticide sensitivity and its biological mechanism throughout the lifecycle of a single species. In the present study we used three life-stages (larvae, pupae and adult) of the holometabolous insect Tenebrio molitor to investigate: i) Life-stage specific differences in sensitivity towards the pyrethroid insecticide α-cypermethrin after topical exposure, and ii) whether these differences can be explained by the degree of uptake and/or excretion.

Timing of sub-lethal insecticide exposure determines parasite establishment success in an insect-helminth model.

Environmental toxicants are pervasive in nature, but sub-lethal effects on non-target organisms and their parasites are often overlooked. Particularly, studies on terrestrial hosts and their parasites exposed to agricultural toxicants are lacking. Here, we studied the effect of sequence and timing of sub-lethal exposures of the pyrethroid insecticide alpha-cypermethrin on parasite establishment using the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta and its intermediate insect host Tenebrio molitor as a model system.

Ancient DNA from latrines in Northern Europe and the Middle East (500 BC-1700 AD) reveals past parasites and diet.

High-resolution insight into parasitic infections and diet of past populations in Northern Europe and the Middle East (500 BC- 1700 AD) was obtained by pre-concentration of parasite eggs from ancient latrines and deposits followed by shotgun sequencing of DNA. Complementary profiling of parasite, vertebrate and plant DNA proved highly informative in the study of ancient health, human-animal interactions as well as animal and plant dietary components. Most prominent were finding of soil-borne parasites transmitted directly between humans, but also meat-borne parasites that require consumption of raw or undercooked fish and pork.

Establishment Success of the Beetle Tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta Depends on Dose and Host Body Condition.

Parasite effects on host fitness and immunology are often intensity-dependent. Unfortunately, only few experimental studies on insect-parasite interactions attempt to control the level of infection, which may contribute substantial variation to the fitness or immunological parameters of interest. The tapeworm -flour beetle model-has been used extensively for ecological and evolutionary host-parasite studies.

Predictors of Echinococcus multilocularis Prevalence in Definitive and Intermediate Hosts: A Meta-Analysis Approach.

Echinococcus multilocularis (EM) is a pathogenic and potentially fatal cestode causing human alveolar echinococcosis (AE). A meta-analysis was conducted using a generalized estimation equation approach (GEE) to assess the effect of taxonomic, environmental, and diagnostic variables on EM prevalence in different hosts. Red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) had significantly higher prevalence of EM than domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris), with the diagnostic method playing an important factor in assessing prevalence.

DNA typing of ancient parasite eggs from environmental samples identifies human and animal worm infections in Viking-age settlement.

Ancient parasite eggs were recovered from environmental samples collected at a Viking-age settlement in Viborg, Denmark, dated 1018-1030 A.D. Morphological examination identified Ascaris sp.