SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF PARASITOLOGISTS
48th Annual Meeting
Program & Abstracts
April 16-18, 2015
The University of Oklahoma Biological Station
Lake Texoma, Oklahoma
Affiliate, American Society of Parasitologists
SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF
PARASITOLOGISTS
Officers
President
Sara V. Brant
Museum of Southwestern Biology
Division of Parasites
University of New Mexico
MSC03 2020
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
President-Elect (Program Officer)
Megan Wise de Valdez
Program of Biology
Texas A&M-San Antonio
One University Way
San Antonio, TX 78224
Immediate Past President
Ben Hanelt
Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology
Department of Biology
University of New Mexico
MSC03 2020
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Secretary-Treasurer
Tamara J. Cook
Department of Biological Sciences
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2116
Representative to ASP Council
Matt Bolek
Department of Integrative Biology
Oklahoma State University
501 Life Sciences West
Stillwater, OK 74078
AGENDA
Thursday, April 16, 2015
5:00–9:00 pm
Registration
6:30 pm
Dinner
7:15 pm
Presenters’ Meeting
8:30 pm
Social Hour(s)
Friday, April 17, 2015
7:30–8:30 am
8:50 am
9:00-10:15 am
10:15-10:30 am
10:30 am –11:45 pm
12:00–1:00 pm
1:30–2:45 pm
3:00–3:15 pm
3:15–4:15 pm
4:30–5:30 pm
5:30–6:30 pm
6:30–8:00 pm
8:00–9:00 pm
9:00–10:00 pm
Foyer of Dining Hall
Dining Hall
Library
Dining Hall
Breakfast & Registration
Dining Hall
Opening Remarks
Library
1. Oral Presentations (#1–5)
Library
Break
2. Oral Presentations (#6–10) Library
Lunch
Dining Hall
3. Oral Presentations (#11–15) Library
Break
4. Oral Presentations (#16–19) Library
Refreshments at the Pavilion on the Lawn
Dinner
Dining Hall
SWAP Business Meeting
Library
President’s Reception
Dining Hall
AND
5. Poster Session (#20–26)
Dining Hall
Social Hour(s)
Dining Hall
Saturday, April 18, 2015
7:30–8:30 am
Breakfast
Dining Hall
8:45-10:00 am
6. Oral Presentations (#27-31) Library
10:00 am
Adjournment
ABSTRACTS WITH A “UG” ARE UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENT PAPERS IN THE COMPETITION; THOSE WITH A
“G” ARE GRADUATE STUDENT PAPERS IN THE
COMPETITION.
UNLESS NOTED, SPEAKER IS FIRST
AUTHOR LISTED.
1
Friday, April 17, 2015—Morning Sessions—Oral Presentations
LIBRARY
8:50am
Opening Remarks – President SARA BRANT
1. Oral Presentations (#1–5)
Chairpersons
Benjamin McGehee – Texas A&M-San Antonio
Gizelle Vasquez – Angelo State
9:00 am
G 1. The relationship between parasitic infection and reproductive
potential of two cyprinids with different reproductive strategies. B.
Ruehle, C. Higgins, and K. Herrmann, Department of Biological
Sciences, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas.
Parasites can inflict a number of effects on their hosts, of interest to this
study are the effects on the reproductive potential in fishes. Two hypotheses
have been proposed for this relationship: 1) during the breeding season
energy is reallocated from the immune system to reproduction, 2) parasitic
infection utilizes the host’s energy reducing the amount available for
reproduction. So, the first objective of this study is to determine if there is a
relationship between parasite load and reproductive potential in fish and
whether this relationship differs between males and females. The second
objective is to examine two cyprinids, Cyprinella venusta, a crevice-spawner
and Notropis volucellus, a broadcast-spawner, to determine if this
relationship varies between the two species. Fish were collected from a
single site on the Paluxy River, TX and returned to the lab to measure
parasite load, distinguished as either endo- or ectoparasites, and reproductive
potential using the gonadosomatic index (GSI). Prevalence was calculated
for the four major groups of parasites for C. venusta: trematodes (86.4%),
cestodes (8.4%), nematodes (43.5%), and protozoans (39.0%); for N.
volucellus: trematodes (24.0%), cestodes (0.60%), nematodes (33.3%), and
protozoans (62.3%). Preliminary results show a significant, positive
correlation between number of endoparasites and ectoparasites and GSI in
male C. venusta, and between number of endoparasites and GSI in female C.
venusta. These correlations indicate that the individuals with the highest GSI
also harbor the most parasites, suggesting a relationship between
reproductive potential and infection.
2
9:15 am
G 2. Evaluating the role of paratenic hosts in the evolution of
complex life cycles: Ecological bridges or evolutionary stepping
stones? Heather A. Stigge and Matthew G. Bolek, Oklahoma State
University
The evolution of life cycles is a fundamental concept in parasitology.
Previous work has focused on the addition of definitive or intermediate
hosts while ignoring the role of paratenic hosts in the evolution of
complex life cycles. The trematode Halipegus eccentricus (Hemiuridae)
is a unique system to examine the potential benefits associated with
paratenic hosts because this is one of the few species that both utilizes a
paratenic host and the entire life cycle can be experimentally
manipulated in the lab. This study compares the rate of establishment,
duration of migration, and time to maturity of metacercariae of H.
eccentricus that infect anurans via the odonate paratenic hosts and
metacercariae of the same age from time control 2nd intermediate hosts.
Metacercariae from experimentally infected odonates were pipetted into
the stomach of toads; whereas control groups of toads were exposed to
metacercariae from experimentally infected microcrustaceans. From each
group of infections, a subset of toads was dissected 2 DPE to estimate the
initial rates of establishment. The mouths of the remaining toads were
monitored daily for the presence of worms and if the worms produced
eggs. Halipegus eccentricus from odonates are capable of establishing
infections at significantly higher rates, and on average, these worms
migrate to the mouth and mature faster than those from 2nd intermediate
hosts. All hemiurid trematodes use microcrustaceans as 2nd intermediate
hosts, however, this study illustrates that the addition of a paratenic host
to the conserved life cycle may benefit these parasites by increasing
transmission and altering life history traits. Given the presence of
paratenic hosts across distinct groups of parasites, it seems likely that
paratenic hosts play a major role in the evolution of complex life cycles
by serving as a transition from the status of a host species that is not used
to an obligate one. Our work provides the first experimental evidence
that supports this hypothesis.
3
9:30 am
G 3. The most recent findings on the life-cycle of Huffmanela huffmani
Morayex 1987 (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae: Huffmanelinae).
The nematode parasite Huffmanela huffmani was first discovered some
three decades ago in the gas bladders of centrarchids from the San
Marcos Springs (SMS) in central Texas, and was subsequently described
by Frank Moravec from what was then Czechoslovakia. Moravec also
erected the genus Huffmanela and the subfamily Huffmanelinae to
contain the species, and simultaneously reassigned several misclassified
histozoic species of Capillaria into Huffmanela. Today there are 22
species of Huffmanela have been reported, with the majority known from
eggs alone, and all but H. huffmani from marine fishes. All known
species are histozoic, and diagnosable by egg morphology, location of
egg deposition, and species of fish host. At the time of this writing, not
one of the Huffmanela life cycles has been reported. Herein we report
the results of exposing suspect invertebrate taxa from the SMS to H.
huffmani eggs, the current status of attempts to infect fish by feeding
them experimentally infected invertebrates, and insight into other aspects
of H. huffmani life history. These findings, though incomplete at this
writing, are highly suggestive that the life cycle of H. huffmani has
finally been elucidated, making it the first known life cycle of the
Huffmanelinae.
4
9:45 am
UG 4 -Changes in bacterial resistance and longevity of crickets infected
with Gordian worms (Nematomorpha). P.M. Ravindran, and B. Hanelt.
Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology,
163 Castetter Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
87131-0001, USA.
The stress of harboring parasites alters a host’s physiological state as it
induces an acute stress response. In many animals, the acute stress response
correlates with immunosuppression. Thus, theory predicts that when these
animals are subjected to parasite infection, they also become more
susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. This eco-immunological tradeoff has been well studied in arthropods including crickets. The parasite
Paragordius varius (Gordian worm) relies on its cricket host, Acheta
domesticus, for the resources to grow from a 30µm larva to a 25cm adult;
upon parasite maturation, the parasite’s mass often exceeds that of the
host’s. At the end of the host-parasite association, the parasite relies on a
physiologically-capable host for transport and release into aquatic
environments, where P. varius reproduces. Therefore, the need for a healthy,
immune-competent host and the immunosuppression caused by enormous
stress of hairworm infection appears to pose a conflict within the energy
balance of the host-parasite unit. To begin teasing this conflict apart, we
tested 1) the resistance of the host-parasite unit to tertiary bacterial threats
and 2) the long-term survival of the host-parasite unit. Adult female crickets
were exposed to 10-50 P. varius cysts. Controls were sham exposed. At 21
days post exposure (DPE), crickets were injected with an LD50 dose of the
bacterial insect pathogen Serratia marcescens. Mortality in both groups was
observed until 31 DPE at which time crickets (alive and dead) in the
experimental group were dissected to ensure infection with P. varius;
uninfected individuals were removed from further analysis. In the second
experiment, survival rates of P. varius-infected crickets were compared with
those of uninfected controls. Surprisingly, we found that the experimental
group, also infected with P. varius, had greater survival success to LD50
doses of S. marcescens than uninfected control crickets. Furthermore,
survival curves showed greater short-term and long-term survival of P.
varius infected crickets compared to control crickets. The results of these
experiments suggest that Gordian worm infections may boost immune
activity of host-parasite units, fundamentally allowing for greater disease
resistance and increased longevity compared to uninfected control
animals. Although the particular mechanisms leading to these results have
yet to be determined, several alternative explanations will be discussed.
5
10:00 am
G 5. Effects of Paragordius varius (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) on
the cricket host Acheta domesticus Christina Williams*¹, Larisa
Vredevoe¹, Gita Kolluru¹, and Ben Hanelt². ¹California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo, California. ²University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Freshwater gordiids have complex life cycles which include multiple
hosts and a free-living aquatic phase. At the end of their parasitic phase,
gordiids manipulate the behavior of their terrestrial arthropod hosts,
causing them to enter aquatic environments where adult worms emerge
often at the expense of host mortality. All gordiids develop in the
hemocoel of their terrestrial arthropod host. Incredibly, within the host,
gordiids grow from a small length of 60–100 μm to a length of over 2 m
for some species. Anecdotal field observations indicate that arthropod
hosts appear to show a high degree of hairworm induced pathology.
Some reports indicate that after worms emerge from their hosts, only the
gut remains within the arthropod’s body cavity, whereas other studies
indicate that the production of eggs by female arthropod hosts is
inhibited or absent altogether. The focus of this investigation was to
evaluate if infection by hairworms alters growth rate, depletes fat body,
and reduces fecundity in their arthropod host. To test the effect of
hairworm parasitism on the arthropod host, 4 week old female house
crickets (Acheta domesticus) were infected with the hairworm
Paragordius varius. Once worms emerged from their cricket hosts,
cricket body length, femur length, and ovipositor length as well as fat
body content and egg production were measured and compared with
control sham-infected crickets. Our results indicate that cricket body
length and ovipositor length, as well as fat body content and egg
production were significantly reduced in infected crickets compared to
sham-infected control crickets. This work is the first to experimentally
document the negative effects of hairworm parasitism on their arthropod
hosts and will be discussed and compared to field observations on
arthropod hairworm infections.
10:15 – 10:30 - BREAK
6
LIBRARY
2. Oral Presentations (#6-10)
Chairperson/Projectionist
Alfonso Vazquez – Texas A&M-San Antonio
Erika Ebbs – University of New Mexico
10:30 am
UG 6. A new species of Gordionus (Nematomorpha: Gordiida)
described from the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. R. J.
Swanteson-Franz1, A. Schmidt-Rhaesa 2, M.G. Bolek3, and B. Hanelt1.
1
Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, 163
Castetter Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001,
USA; 2 Zoological Museum and Institute, Biocenter Grindel, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3,
University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; 3Department of Zoology, 501 Life
Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA.
The 19 genera within the phylum Nematomorpha contain approximately 350
species. The cosmopolitan genus Gordionus contains about 58 species, six
of which occur in the contiguous United States of America. Recently, two
new Gordionus species were described from high altitude streams within the
southern Rocky Mountains, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Here we
describe a Gordionus species that morphologically appears to be distinct.
The species is from a high altitude stream in the southern Rocky Mountains,
from near Taos New Mexico, USA. The site consisted of first order streams
at 3,175‒3,250m altitude in aspen/pine woodland. Gordionus n. sp. has one
areole type, which varies in shape and size between body areas and was also
found to vary substantially within single body regions. On the posterior end,
areoles can vary from narrow, shingle-like, overlapping plates, to relatively
broad areoles with serrated edges. Nearby, other areoles were found to be
small and contain arch-like ornaments. Finally, in the midbody, areoles
were mound-like with interareolar furrows containing spines and fine
bristles. The male cloacal opening is surrounded inside and outside by
narrow branching bristles that bifurcate or trifurcate deeply; the furcae then
often subdivide several additional times terminally. Adhesive warts are
lacking. This potentially is the third Gordionus species described from high
elevation streams in the Rocky Mountains. However, despite our best
efforts to use genetic markers to resolve the relationship of Gordionus n. sp.
within the genus, we have run into several consistent problems. These
problems of genetic relationships will be discussed; as well as with the
meaning of finding so many species at high altitudes, as it is possible that
this genus has gone through a species radiation in high altitude habitats.
7
10:45 am
G 7. A New Genus of Lecanicephalidean Tapeworm with Comments
on its Distribution within a Host Species. Kaylee Herzog and Kirsten
Jensen. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the
Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas.
Generic diversity within the Lecanicephalidea has nearly doubled within
the last two decades; to date, 24 genera are recognized, parasitizing
primarily batoid hosts. Examination of eight specimens of the dasyatid
stingray Himantura granulata collected in 2012 from the Solomon
Islands revealed the presence of two species of lecanicephalideans—a
large and a small-bodied species—representing a new genus. Individual
specimens representing this new genus have also been found parasitizing
several other dasyatid hosts from elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific (i.e., at
least six other species of Himantura and one species of Neotrygon). This
new genus most closely resembles Seussapex in its possession of a
scolex proper with four acetabula in the form of suckers and a large,
retractable apical structure. However, it can be distinguished from
Seussapex and the remaining valid lecanicephalidean genera by the
unique morphology of its apical organ, which is in the form of a
scalloped, muscular disk with eight marginal sucker-like depressions.
The two new species exhibiting this unusual apical organ morphology
are readily distinguishable from one another in that the larger species is
at least two orders of magnitude larger than the smaller species and
possess two to three times the number of immature proglottids.
Moreover, the two species exhibit an intriguing distribution among the
eight stingray specimens examined: the larger species was found only in
smaller, immature stingray specimens (disk width <35cm) while the
smaller species was found mostly in larger, mature stingray specimens
(disk width >100cm) and, on rare occasion, in some immature specimens
as well. Despite the morphological differences noted between the two
species, their sequence data for the D1-D3 28s rDNA gene region is
essentially identical. Ultimately, differences in the complete cestode
fauna between immature and mature host specimens may be attributable
to a host diet shift, or an age-diversity relationship.
8
11:00 am
G 8. Lecanicephalidean tapeworms (Cestoda) of the freshwater
whipray, Himantura polylepis, from Malaysian and Indonesian
Borneo. Rachel Guyer and Kirsten Jensen, Department of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology and the Biodiversity Institute, University of
Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
The lecanicephalidean cestodes parasitizing the spiral intestine of the
endangered (IUCN, 2013) freshwater whipray, Himantura polylepis
(Bleeker, 1852), are investigated for the first time. A total of seven hosts
were collected between 2003 and 2008 at two collection sites off the east
coast of Borneo: five from freshwater about 16 km up the Kinabatangan
River (Malaysia) and two in the estuarine/marine waters off Tarakan
(Indonesia). Collectively, these hosts were parasitized by seven new
species representing four genera of lecanicephalideans: three new species
of Tetragonocephalum Shipley and Hornell, 1905; two new species of
Polypocephalus Braun, 1878; and one species each of two as of yet
undescribed genera. Specimens of each of the new taxa were prepared
for light and scanning microscopy to examine morphological features.
Molecular sequence data using the D1-D3 28S rDNA region confirmed
morphological assessment of species boundaries exhibiting genetic
differences between two of the new species of Tetragonocephalum (19
base pairs) and the two new species of Polypocephalus (59-61 base
pairs). Five of the seven species were only present at either the
Kinabatangan River (freshwater) or Tarakan (estuarine/marine)
localities; two were present at both collection sites. These seven new
species bring the total number of known cestodes from H. polylepis to
seventeen species across nine genera of four orders (i.e.
Lecanicephalidea, Onchoproteocephalidea, Rhinebothriidea, and
Trypanorhyncha). Despite the characterization of the freshwater whipray
as an obligate freshwater species, overall the composition of tapeworms
that parasitize this species is consistent with those of other dasyatid
stingrays from euryhaline environments (e.g. H. dalyensis) and marine
environments in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere.
9
11:15 am
G. 9. The biogeogrphay of freshwater Huffmanela (Nematoda:
Trichosomididae: Huffmanelinae)
Huffmanela huffmani (Nematoda: Trichinelloidea: Trichosomoididae)
Moravec 1987 is a parasitic nematode known from the swimbladder of
centrarchid fishes, and is endemic to only the upper spring run of the San
Marcos River in Texas. Because all 21 other Huffmanela species are
marine, and because numerous invertebrates from the San Marcos
Springs (SMS) have been determined to be marine relics, H. huffmani is
also considered to be a marine relic. We investigated past- and presentday factors which may have contributed to the marine-to-freshwater
transition of the suite of marine relics in the SMS, which includes H.
huffmani. We also examined fishes from several other springs suspected
of perhaps supporting Huffmanela populations either in the past or in the
present. One of these localities (Clear Creek Springs and the upper
spring run of the San Saba River) contained centrarchids with high
prevalence and intensity of a Huffmanela species. This is the only other
known site in the world to support freshwater Huffmanela and, based on
egg morphology, this population may be an undescribed species. Comal
Springs, a sister spring of SMS, and which has been negative for
Huffmanela, proved to have supported a Huffmanela population as late as
1951. We also studied the biology of the putative crustacean
intermediate host and its congeners from other central Texas springs.
Apparently, the very restricted distribution of H. huffmani is not a
function of the distribution of susceptible intermediate hosts; however,
based on host reaction and distribution patterns, some susceptible
intermediate hosts appear to have co-evolved with Huffmanela.
10
11:30 am
G 10. Amphibian Trypanosomes from North Central Oklahoma:
Morphology, motility, and host specificity. Ryan P. Shannon, and
Matthew G. Bolek. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
During May-August of 2014, a total of 140 amphibians from 5 families
and 9 species were collected from 5 locations in Oklahoma and
examined for blood parasites, leeches and leech hematomas. Of those,
only aquatic bullfrogs (Rana catesbeaiana) and semi-terrestrial southern
leopard frogs (Rana sphenocephala) were infected with blood parasites,
but no leeches or leech hematomas were observed on any of the
amphibians examined. Five species/morphotypes of blood protozoa
infected adult southern leopard frogs from 2 locations and 1 species of
blood protozoan infected adult bullfrogs (R. catesbeiana) from 1
location. Bullfrogs and southern leopard frogs were both infected with
Hepatozoon catesbianae; whereas 4 trypanosome morphotypes were
present in southern leopard frogs and conform to previous descriptions of
(1) Trypanosoma ranarum, (2) Trypanosoma rotatorium, and (3)
Trypanosoma chattoni. Among trypanosome morphotypes, videomicroscopy revealed distinct differences in trypanosome motility in frog
blood plasma. The larger morphotype of T. rotatorium moved laterally in
relation to its anterior-posterior axis; whereas the smaller morphotype of
T. rotatorium moved anteriorly with its curved anterior end. In contrast,
T. chattoni did not exhibit any motility. Both leeches and
hematophageous dipterans have been reported as vectors for amphibian
trypanosomes. However, little information is available on the specific
vectors for species of Trypanosoma infecting southern leopard frogs in
our study area. To address this issue, a preliminary host specificity study
was performed. Amphibian leeches Placobdella picta collected on
salamanders infected with Trypanosoma ambystomae from Nebraska
were fed on frogs infected with Oklahoma trypanosomes. Frogs acquired
additional infections of T. ambystomae, however subsequent leech
feedings on uninfected southern leopard frogs only transmitted the
salamander trypanosome, suggesting Oklahoma trypanosomes might not
use leeches as vectors. Although differences were found in morphology
and swimming behavior, it remains unclear if these morphotypes
represent distinct species.
Noon–1:00 pm — LUNCH (DINING HALL)
11
Friday, April 17, 2015—Afternoon Sessions—Oral Presentations
LIBRARY
3. Oral Presentations (#11-15)
Chairperson/Projectionist
Carrie Lierz – Peru State
Kameron Soules – Sam Houston State
1:30 pm
UG 11. 2015 Survey of Environmental Amoeba – Focusing on
Taylor Ferry, Lake Fort Gibson Oklahoma. Z. Hassan, R.W. Maples
and M.J. Howard. Department of Biological Sciences, the University of
Tulsa.
Over time, many free-living amoeba species have been found to cause
diseases in humans. Species can cause diseases such as Acanthamoeba
Keratitis, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), and others.
Different species of amoeba can be found in public fresh water sources
that are frequently visited by individuals in the community. One of the
most harmful pathogenic amoeba is Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). This
opportunistic parasite is known to enter the body though the nasal cavity
and rapidly infect the central nervous system (PAM), which is almost
always fatal. We are conducting a survey of the amoeba levels found at
Taylor Ferry, Lake Fort Gibson in Oklahoma. This site was chosen after
being implicated in the first case of PAM in Oklahoma (August 1998).
We are collecting water and soil samples during the months of January
through March. DNA is extracted from positive cultures and tested using
rtPCR to determine which species of amoeba are present. We expect to
find significant numbers of amoeba species present in the samples,
especially in the later collections as the weather becomes warmer. We
will likely find Acanthamoeba spp., possibly Balamuthia mandrillaris,
and potentially Naegleria fowleri and other species of Naegleria. Based
on our results, we hope to be able to caution the public about the safety
of their water sources in order to prevent unsuspecting individuals from
contracting any fatal diseases. Work is currently in progress.
12
1:45 pm
UG 12. Whole Genome Sequencing: Identification of N. fowleri at
Fort Gibson Lake. R. W. Maples, Z. Hassan, and M. J. Howard.
Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa.
Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba known to cause Primary
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, causes a fatal brain disease. The 96%
mortality rate causes concern especially since there isn’t much public
awareness of this disease or the organism. Taylor Ferry, at Fort Gibson
Lake Oklahoma, has had previous positive detection of the amoeba
which is evident in a case from August 1998. This case spurred further
investigative responses. Marsha Howard’s research group is currently
trying to explore different avenues in order to learn more about this
organism and possibly improve on its detection. Lake water and soil
samples have been collected from this location and cultured on nonnutrient agar plates spread with washed E. coli. Positive growth was
subcultured until a pure culture of amoeba was obtained. The DNA was
then extracted using a Tris-HCl lysing buffer with proteinase K. DNA
samples will be NanoDropped to confirm the presence and amount of
DNA present. A whole genomic analysis will be performed for the
development of local primers to be made. This provides more insight to
the amoebic genes as a whole which could indicate that regional variance
is present. The amoebic DNA will then be amplified using rtPCR in
order to identify and quantify the species present. It is expected to see
some variance in that some of the pathogenic determining genes follow a
basic evolutionary approach. This work is currently in progress.
13
2:00 pm
G 13. Morphological and molecular characterization of two
population of Phyllodistomum in Hidalgo, México. C. E. BautistaHernández, E. A. Martínez-Salazar, G. Pulido-Flores and S. Monks,
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo,
México. Unidad Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad
Autónoma de Zacatecas.
Species of Phyllodistomum, with a worldwide distribution, inhabit the
urinary bladder of amphibians and both marine and freshwater fishes.
The taxonomy of the genus is controversial because members exhibit
high intraspecific morphological variation. At present, there are six
nominal species distributed in México, four infecting marine fish and
two, P. lacustri and P. inecoli, that infect freshwater fishes. In Mexico,
P. lacustri generally infects ictalurids and P. inecoli, poeciliids, but a
recent study identified three cryptic species of the P. lacustri complex in
three drainages of México. During a study of the helminths of poeciliids
of northeastern Hidalgo, we found two geographically separated
populations of Phyllodistomum that appeared to be different from the
known species of México. The morphology of individuals of each
population was studied and each was found to be distinct from each
other. Following the methodology of recent studies, we extracted DNA
from worms preserved in ethyl alcohol, and compared sequences 28s
rDNA from each population with sequences from Genebank. Despite of
morphological divergence, neither intra- nor inter-population genetic
variation was significant in the samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed
that the populations from Hidalgo formed a monophyletic clade with P.
inecoli. Members of the clade diverged only by 0.08%, indicating that
they were conspecific. Heterandria bimaculata, in central Veracruz, is
the type host for P. inecoli, but the Hidalgo populations were found in
Pseudoxiphophorus jonesii and Xiphophorus hellerii, the former a
species native to east-central México and the other was introduced from
populations of southeastern México and Honduras. This study provides
new host and locality records for P. inecoli.
14
2:30 pm
G 14. The Schistosoma indicum species group in Nepal with
comments on a distinctive lineage of schistosome and use of the
Indoplanorbis exustus species complex of snail hosts
Ramesh Devkotaa, Sara V. Branta,b and Eric S. Lokera,b a Center for
Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Department of
Biology, University of New Mexico, New Mexico, USA b Museum of
Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New
Mexico, New Mexico, USA
The species diversity, host-parasite relationships and phylogenetic
affinities of the Schistosoma indicum species group in tropical Asia are
poorly known. Over a seven-year time interval we collected and screened
19,360 freshwater snails in Nepal and here provide the first report from
this country of the presence of cercariae representing three S. indicum
group species, all of which were recovered from Indoplanorbis exustus.
Sequence data for 28S, 16S, 12S and cox1 genes from the specimens
were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships against known
species available in GenBank. One species is almost certainly S.
spindale, though genetically, this species diverges slightly with the S.
spindale available from elsewhere in Asia. The second is S. nasale,
which exhibited little genetic divergence from specimens from
Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. We expected to find S. indicum in Nepal but
were surprised that the third lineage we found (designated S. indicumlike) differs substantially from the few available specimens of S. indicum
obtained from Bangladesh. We found no evidence suggestive of
introgression between S. spindale and our S. indicum-like lineage, even
though they overlap broadly in geography and in host species use. There
is strong support for a close relationship between the S. haematobium
and S. indicum species groups, but with a tendency, with limited support,
for the S. haematobium group to nest within the S. indicum group, with S.
nasale basal. Additionally, for both uninfected I. exustus, and for some
trematode-positive I. exustus specimens, sequence analysis for ITS1,
cox1 and 16S genes indicates a surprising amount of diversity within I.
exustus, resulting in four major lineages rather than one, all four of which
contain multiple Nepalese specimens. This suggests that additional study,
including critical morphology of the various Indoplanorbis lineages and
appreciating the role of each in transmitting specific schistosomes needs
to be undertaken.
15
2:45 pm
G 15. Invasion genetics of the globally invasive snail, Physella acuta
(Draparnaud 1805) and its potential as an intermediate host to larval
trematodes.Erika Taylor Ebbs, Eric S. Loker and Sara Vanessa
BrantCenter for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department
of Biology, Division of Parasitology, Museum of Southwestern Biology,
University of New Mexico
Invasive snails can dramatically affect ecosystems due in part to the
trematodes comminutes they harbor. Physella acuta is a globally
invasive snail, native to North America where it hosts a variety of
trematodes. Prior to this study global genetic diversity and host-parasite
relationships were unknown. In the old world P. acuta can be common
but its role as an intermediate host is unclear; trematode survey data
suggests the maintenance of life cycles within Europe but possibly not
Africa or Asia. Does time since invasion and genetic diversity of
invasive populations explain the heterogeneity of trematode infections
across geography? We investigated the invasion genetics of P. acuta,
using a molecular population genetic approach over a 10-year period.
Genetic structure and diversity are dissimilar between native and
invasive snail populations. Within the invasive range we find highly
structured and genetically homogenized subpopulations, with low
between population migration suggesting that founding events were
independent and relatively recent. Further, historical demographic
analyses support that founding populations invaded Europe over 150
years prior to Africa. These results may explain the discrepancies in
trematode survey data between the two regions, and provide insight into
the amount of genetic diversity and time invasive snail populations
require to establish trematode assemblages. Suggesting that with time
parasite spillback may become more common wihtin P. acuta,
potentially impacting the epidemiology of snail transmitted disease
around the globe. These findings are discussed within the context of the
dermatitis producing avian schistosome, Trichobilharzia querquedulae
(Physella transmitted), which was recently reported as globally
distributed. Results from this study, in conjunction with trematode
surveys of P. acuta and other invasive snails (Potamopyrgus, Bithynia),
allows us to make predictions about the future distribution of Physella
mediated cercarial dermatitis and the frequency of outbreaks.
3:00-3:15pm BREAK
16
LIBRARY
4. Oral Presentations (#16-19)
Chairperson/Projectionist
C. Bryce Hubbell – Angelo State
Kian Borrengasser – Peru State
3:15 pm
UG 16. Mosquito species distribution in residential areas across San
Antonio, Texas. Amarillys Barquin, Alfonso Vasquez, Michelle
Mendoza, and Megan Wise de Valdez
Program of Biology, Texas A&M-San Antonio, One University Way,
San Antonio, TX 78224
The purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary survey of mosquito
species of veterinary and medical importance in residential backyards
across San Antonio, Texas. The number of stray dogs in San Antonio is
approximately 150,000 and they are known reservoirs for heartworm,
Dirofilaria immitis, posing a risk to companion pets. According to data
collected in 2014 by The Companion Animal Parasite Council, 19.75%
of all positive heartworm cases in U.S. come from Texas, and 8.19% of
all positive cases in Texas are from Bexar County. In addition, because
San Antonio is in close proximity to areas where mosquito-vectored
diseases such as Dengue Fever and West Nile are endemic, assessing the
presence of mosquitoes known to vector these human diseases is
important. Seventeen zip codes across San Antonio were sampled for
mosquito species during the summer and early fall of 2014. Both CDC
light traps baited with dry ice and BG-Sentinel traps (non-baited) were
used to collect mosquito species. We identified 28 mosquito species
within six genera: Aedes, Culex, Ochelrotatus, Orthopodomyia,
Psorophora, and Anopheles. Aedes was the most prevalent genus, with
Aedes aegypti found in all zip codes sampled. Five of the mosquito
species known to vector D. immitis were found, including Ae. aegypti.
Additionally, eleven of the mosquito species known to carry and transmit
West Nile Virus were present. In future studies we aim to improve our
collection methods , sample additional locals, correlate data with weather
patterns, and include various trapping techniques. Finally, we aim to
collect data on the incidence of D. immitis and correlate it with mosquito
species distribution.
17
3:30 pm
G 17. Comparative Helminth Community Structure in Two Species
of Arctic-nesting Waterfowl: Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)
and Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons). Nicole J. Traub,
Autumn J. Smith-Herron, Courtney L. Amundson, and Paul L. Flint,
Texas Invasive Species Institute, Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville, Texas, 77341 and U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science
Center, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508.
Waterfowl can have relatively high parasite burdens in some cases
resulting in demographic consequences for the hosts; however, little is
known about the timing and pathways of infection and if there is interand intra-specific transfer on the breeding grounds. This study
investigates the helminth communities of two waterfowl species, greater
white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) and Pacific black brant (Branta
bernicla nigricans), breeding in Sub-Arctic (Yukon Delta National
Wildlife Refuge in Western Alaska (YK)) and Arctic Alaska (Beaufort
Sea coast in Northern Alaska (N)) collected during July–August 2014.
Black brant and greater white-fronted geese breed sympatrically, but
differ in both migration route and wintering areas. Thus, similarities in
helminth communities between species suggest inter-specific
transmission of helminthes on the breeding grounds. We sampled brant
from both N and YK to evaluate the relative contribution of site (Arctic
and sub-arctic) on helminth community structure. We collected both
species from N to assess evidence of interspecific transmission. To date,
100% of necropsied hosts are infected. Fourteen species of helminths
have been identified from 5 microhabitats (gizzard, proventriculus,
duodenal loop, gastric ceca, and small intestine). Trichostrongylus tenuis,
the dominant nematode, occurred in 77.59% of hosts examined.
Tschertkovilepis setigera, the dominant cestode, occurred in 70.69% of
hosts examined. Preliminary findings suggest that parasite communities
are somewhat similar between host species at a site, but community
differences exist between sites. Thus, helminth community structure in
this area may be driven by host habitat or climate. With the exception of
direct lifecycle nematodes, component communities differ between host
wintering and breeding grounds. Our results provide baseline
information with which to better investigate infra- and component
community dynamics of helminths transmitted at high latitudes, and
understand helminth infection of migratory waterfowl hosts throughout
the annual cycle.
18
3:45 pm
G 18. Helminths in Scaled Quail from West Texas. K. A. Bedford,
A. M. Fedynich, and D. Rollins1, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research
Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Rolling Plains Quail
Research Foundation1.
Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) have declined in Texas, prompting
interest in quail helminths and their effects on host populations. Little is
known regarding helminth communities in scaled quail. Our objectives
are to (1) document helminth species infecting scaled quail in west
Texas, (2) determine helminth prevalence, intensity, and abundance, and
(3) assess whether infections are influenced by host age, host sex, and
season of collection. Twenty-eight and 95 scaled quail were donated by
hunters during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 hunting seasons,
respectively. Fourteen quail were also trapped in 2012 and 20 in 2013.
Seven helminth species were found. Of these, three species (all
nematodes) occurred in ≥ 25% prevalence: the cecal worm
Aulonocephalus pennula (98%), the eye worm Oxyspirura petrowi
(52%), and the gizzard worm Procyrnea pileata (25%).
Additionally, A. pennula was found in the greatest intensities and
accounted for 94% of the total worms found (9,245). Host age and
season influenced O. petrowi prevalence; however, host sex did
not affect prevalence of the three helminth species. Oxyspirura
petrowi abundance varied with host age by season. Abundance of
the other species did not differ by host age, host sex, or season.
Additional samples will be collected during the 2014–2015 Texas
quail-hunting season. Our research provides insight about
helminth community structure and pattern in scaled quail and is the
first survey to compare helminth infections over multiple years in
west Texas.
19
4:00 pm
UG 19. Intestinal Helminth Survey of Feral Hogs from Texas.
K. Skinner, A. Barquin, B. McGehee, A. Vasquez, and M. Wise de
Valdez – Program of Biology Texas A&M University San Antonio.
Feral hogs, or Sus scrofa, are known widely throughout Texas as an
overall pest to land management and livestock enterprises in general.
Close to half of the Nation’s feral hog population resides in Texas;
potentially creating a health risk for domesticated livestock. For this
reason knowing more about the intestinal helminthes of feral hogs is
important. We collected a total of 67 large and small intestines from feral
hogs on day of slaughter from a USDA processing facility in South
Texas from September 2014 to March 2015. The facility accepts hogs
from more than 20 different holding facilities located throughout the
state; each serves a specific region ranging from a 30 - 200 mile
collection radius. The facilities were noted on day of intestine collection.
Our findings thus far have shown that 15 of the 67 hogs were infected,
with the majority of infected hogs coming from facilities in Central
Texas. Out of the 15 infected hogs, we found that 6 males were infected
and 9 females were infected. Infection status was not affected by gender
(P = 0.25). Weight of infected and uninfected hogs were not significantly
different (P=0.57). Parasites collected included a total of 5 Ascaris spp.,
57 Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, 6 smaller, yet to be identified,
Acanthocephalans, and 492 yet to be identified hookworms. While there
were no significant correlations between weight and infection status or
gender and infection status, future studies should include a greater
number of hogs with more precise location information so that infection
status and parasite diversity can be made relevant to local livestock
enterprises.
20
ORAL PRESENTATIONS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015
COMPLETED
4:30–5:30 pm – REFRESHMENTS AT THE PAVILION ON THE
LAWN (weather allowing). A light relaxing primer before dinner.
5:30–6:30 pm – DINNER (DINING HALL)
6:30–8:00 pm – SWAP BUSINESS MEETING AND
PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AWARDS (LIBRARY)
8:00-9:00 pm POSTER SESSION and PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION
Please come to enjoy posters while relaxing with some wine and cheese
21
Friday, April 17, 2015—Evening Session—Poster Presentations
DINING HALL and FOYER
5. Poster Presentations (#20-26)
8:00–9:00 pm
Posters are available for viewing during the entire meeting in the Dining
Hall. Authors of posters will be available for questions during the
assigned poster session period.
20. Aulonocephalus pennula in Scaled Quail from West Texas and
South Texas. S. A. Shea*, K. A. Bedford, A. C. Olsen, A. M. Fedynich,
and D. Rollins, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M
University-Kingsville and Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation.
Aulonocephalus pennula is a common heteroxenous nematode at the
infracommunity and component community level in scaled quail
(Callipepla squamata). This helminth species is of interest to quail
biologists and parasitologists since infections may cause intestinal
blockage and compete with the host for nutrients within the ceca. The
objective of this study was to determine prevalence and abundance of A.
pennula in hunter-donated scaled quail from south Texas and west Texas
during two consecutive hunting seasons, 2012–2013 and 2013–2014.
Prevalence was 91% (n = 23) and 99% (n = 123) in the sample of scaled
quail from south and west regions of Texas, respectively, during the two
hunting seasons. The abundance of A. pennula in collected scaled quail
was 57.3 ± 26.9 (SE) in south Texas and 57.1 ± 6.1 (SE) in west Texas.
Additional findings are included in this presentation. Our research sheds
light on A. pennula in scaled quail from two distinct ecoregions in Texas.
22
21. Prevalence of endoparasitic helminthes of the Small Indian
Mongoos (Herpestes auropunctatus) on the island of Puerto Rico. J.
A. Martinez, I. Castro-Arellano, T. R. Simpson, and D. G. Huffman,
Department of Biology, Texas State University
The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus, henceforth
mongoose) was introduced to Puerto Rico in the late 1800’s as a
biological control for Rattus spp. in sugarcane fields. The mongoose is
an opportunistic generalist capable of adapting to a wide range of food
types from plant matter, insects, crustaceans, reptiles and amphibians, to
small mammals and birds, and readily exhibits prey switching in the face
of limited food resources. Because of the diversity of its food
preferenda, the mongoose has the potential to be exposed to infection
with a diverse array of endoparasitic helminths. However, while
considerable research has been conducted on the mongoose on Trinidad,
Grenada and St. Croix, little to no research has been reported on the
Puerto Rico population. The community of helminths associated with
the mongoose on Puerto Rico may have important disease management
implications for humans and domestic animals, since recent findings
indicates a trend toward increased utilization of agricultural and human
recreational sites by the mongoose. Previous researchers have found
humans in Puerto Rico infected with helminths to which the mongoose is
known to be susceptible. However, the Puerto Rico population of the
mongoose has not been systematically surveyed for helminths. In our
study, we are conducting systematic helminthological examinations of
the Puerto Rico population of the mongoose, with special attention to
species that may pose risks to humans and domestic animals. We will
report on our initial findings and provide details of our continuing
research effort.
23
22. Microhabitat Selection and Eyefluke Infection Levels within
Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis). S. L. Griffin, N. Carpenter,
and K. K. Herrmann, Department of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State
University, and A. Smith-Herron, Texas Research Institute for
Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University.
Eyefluke studies commonly document microhabitat locations within the
eyes of many fish species. Some eyefluke species have a preference for
the vitreous humour, some for the retina, and others the lens. Preliminary
data indicated high eyefluke infection levels in the pigment layer of eyes
in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in local study sites. These species of
eyeflukes have been well studied, but G. affinis have not been
documented as a host. The objective of this study was to examine
eyefluke infections in G. affinis and document the microhabitat selection
of the various species. Twenty G. affinis were collected and processed
resulting in 40 eye dissections. Individual weight, length, and sex were
recorded prior to dissection. Left and right eyes were differentiated to
reveal potential eye preference. Eye layers were separated, and specific
location and quantity of metacercariae were recorded. Tissues from an
additional 7 G. affinis eyes were histologically analyzed to confirm
microhabitat location. Histology confirmed that infections in the pigment
layer were specifically in the vitreous layer of the choroid. A total of 465
metacercariae were collected with 444 metacercariae being in the
vitreous layer of the choroid, 9 metacercariae found in the lens, and 12
metacercariae in the eye orbit. Results show an average of 11.1
metacercariae per eye in the vitreous layer of the choroid with a 100%
prevalence and abundance of 22.2 flukes per fish. Lens metacercariae
averaged 0.23 individuals per eye with 40% prevalence and abundance
of 0.45 flukes per fish. Eye orbit metacercariae averaged 0.3 individuals
per eye with 40% prevalence and abundance of 0.6 flukes per fish. This
data represents the first documentation of eyefluke microhabitat within
the vitreous layer of the choroid in G. affinis.
24
23. Is diversity of the parasitic helminth community in Cyprinella
venusta affected by anthropogenic disturbance in ephemeral rivers?
E. Barnes, N. Carpenter, and K.K. Herrmann, Department of Biological
Sciences, Tarleton State University.
Parasites in aquatic environments can serve as indicators of ecosystem
health. Ecosystems in good health tend to support a higher diversity of
species, both free living and parasitic, than those in poor condition. For
parasites with complex life cycles, multiple host species must be present
in order for a parasite species to exist in that system. Further, many
parasites have transmission stages that are highly sensitive to changes in
water quality. Therefore endoparasitic helminthes make excellent
bioindicators. In order to understand the effect of anthropogenic
disturbance on parasite abundance and diversity in ephemeral aquatic
ecosystems of north central Texas, we examined the endohelminth
communities of blacktail shiners (Cyprinella venusta) in the Paluxy
River, historically undisturbed, and the Bosque River, historically
disturbed. Twenty fish were collected from three sites on each river and
dissected in the laboratory. Overall prevalence and abundance of
trematodes and nematodes was greater in the undisturbed river, as well as
cestodes which were not found at any site on the disturbed river. Five
species of trematode were recovered from these fish, one adult and four
metacercaria. For the two most common trematode species,
Posthodiplostomum sp. 4 had a greater prevalence and abundance in the
undisturbed river (81.7% and 4.37, respectively) than in the disturbed
river (58.3% and 1.63, respectively). Clinostomum marginatum also had
a greater prevalence in the undisturbed river (18.3%) than disturbed one
(5.0%). While abundance of C. marginatum was higher on the disturbed
river than the undisturbed (0.367 and 0.183, respectively), a single fish
accounts for this discrepancy. Nematodes followed a similar pattern with
prevalence and abundance greater in the undisturbed (45.0% and 1.417,
respectively) than on the disturbed river (28.3% and 0.533, respectively).
Preliminarily, diversity and abundance of endohelminths in C. venusta
seem to be greater in the less disturbed river system.
25
24. The Current State of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis in
the United States: Is There Cause for Concern? M.J. Howard.
Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa.
Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of a rapid infection of the central
nervous system (CNS) that is almost always fatal, Primary Amebic
Meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM occurs when the amebae enter the
nasal cavity, usually of a child, during swimming. Since 1962 there have
been 133 confirmed cases of PAM in the United States. In 1998 the first
confirmed case of PAM in Oklahoma was reported. Since then, there
have been five more confirmed cases in Oklahoma, as well as cases in
surrounding states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and most recently
Kansas). It was assumed that the amoeba responsible for this disease is
only present in warm, shallow, stagnant water. However, previous work
indicates that these organisms are present in all types of water sources
year round. Recent years have also seen an expansion on the areas
typically associated with PAM, with 2 cases occurring in Minnesota, 2 in
Kansas, and 1 each in Missouri and Indiana. Cases of PAM have also
recently been associated with tap water. In the summer of 2013, the 3rd
survivor of PAM happened in Arkansas. However, only a few weeks
later, a young boy in Florida, receiving the same treatment as the
Arkansas patient, did not survive. Continued research is needed to
identify the specific areas these amoebas inhabit across the country.
Then measures can be taken to prevent infection from occurring.
26
25. Parasites and Hosts in the Robert L. and Virginia R. Rausch
Collection: Taxonomic and Geographic Distribution.
Brooke Thurston, Niccolette Ochoa, Ryan L. Barber, Elias A. Salazar,
Lizon Cenac, Laurel Cenac, Mariel L. Campbell. Museum of
Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
87131.
Robert L. and Virginia R. Rauch spent a lifetime studying the
distribution, ecology, taxonomy, epidemiology, and natural history of
parasites and their hosts in Alaska, Canada, and other regions in the
Arctic and Subarctic. The Rauschs left a legacy of over 280 publications
backed up by thousands of museum specimens of parasite and host
vouchers. These include representatives of the genera Echinococcus,
Taenia, Diphyllobothrium, and Trichinella in all stages of the life cycle
as well as tissue sections and parasites preserved in situ with the host. In
2007 the Rausch Helminthological Collection was donated to the
Division of Parasitology of the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the
University of New Mexico, where specimens are being curated and
inventoried. In addition, 50,000 records of the Rausch specimen ledger
are in the process of being transcribed and uploaded to a publiclyaccessible online collections database, Arctos, shared by other
institutions which are also holders of Rausch specimens. We present a
preliminary investigation of the taxonomic, temporal and geographic
distribution of Rausch museum vouchers based on over 37,000 records in
Arctos and at other institutions.
27
26. Helminth parasites of mammals from Yukon Territory, Canada.
L. Barber and Mariel L. Campbell, Museum of Southwestern Biology,
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
The Collaborative & Integrative Inventories of Biomes of the Arctic
(CIIBA) is a research effort begun in 2013 which focuses on the flora
and fauna of Beringia, the territory (larger than the continental US) that
occupies NE Asia and NW North America. This project builds on
previous efforts of the Beringian Coevolution Project (BCP), begun in
2001, to inventory mammal species and their parasites along latitudinal
transects through Alaska, west-central Siberia and central Canada. In the
first three transects conducted in the summers of 2013 and 2014 in
Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, the CIIBA
inventory has generated a collection of over 3,000 small mammals and
associated ecto- and endoparasites. We present here a preliminary
summary of the major groups of helminth parasites recovered from small
mammals of Yukon Territory in BCP and CIIBA surveys from 20012014, based on specimen searches using the Arctos museum collections
database.
28
Saturday, April 18, 2015—Morning Session—Oral Presentations
LIBRARY
6. Oral Presentations (#27-31)
Chairperson/Projectionist
Nicole Traub – Sam Houston State
Priyanka Ravindra – University of New Mexico
8:45 am
27. Effects of trematode parasitism on the functional shell
morphology of snail shells in flow and nonflow environments. Kyle
D. Gustafson* and Matthew G. Bolek, Department of Integrative
Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Upon infection, the shell of a snail becomes the home for a trematode and it
is to the parasite’s advantage optimize, or not interfere with, the function of
the shell to increase its chances of survival and life cycle completion.
However, trematodes are also known to be pathogenic to their hosts and it is
not clear if parasitism will cause gastropods to express specific
morphological changes dependent on their environment or as a result of
pathology. To address these hypotheses, we conducted a field study and
complimentary laboratory experiment to examine the effects of trematode
parasitism on the functional shell morphology (shape, size, and crush
resistance) of Physa acuta snails in flow and non-flow environments. Our
field results indicate that pond snails had larger, more crush resistant shells
with narrow apertures and tall spires relative to stream snails. Trematode
parasitism had no apparent effect on the crush resistance of pond snails but
significantly reduced the crush resistance of stream snails. Laboratory P.
acuta snails from nonflow tanks were also generally, but not significantly,
larger than flow tank snails. Similar to our field study results, nonflow snails
had significantly more crush resistant shells than flow snails. Additionally,
the shapes of flow and nonflow snails significantly differed where nonflow
snails exhibited shapes consistent with pond snails and flow snails exhibited
shapes similar to stream snails. For laboratory snails, trematode parasitism
reduced crush resistance regardless of their flow/nonflow environment. Our
results demonstrate that habitat and/or flow environment was the primary
factor affecting P. acuta shell morphology and that trematode parasitism
played a secondary role. The limitations and implications of this study are
discussed.
29
9:00 am
28. A current assessment of the thiarid snail invasion of Central
Texas waters. S. F. Harding, M. L. D. Worsham, D. G> Huffman, and
J. Jackson: Aquatic Station Department of Biology Texas State
University and Bio-West Inc.
The invasion of the spring runs of the San Marcos (SMR) and Comal
Rivers (CR) by the thiarid snails Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia
granifera is well documented. However, studies of the parasitological
consequences of this invasion have been lopsided, with the primary focus
being Centrocestus formosanus (from M. tuberculata), and the
parasitological consequence of the invasion of both thiarids is more
complex than once thought. Until 2009, the known distribution of M.
tuberculata in Central Texas was restricted to thermally stable spring
runs, and it did not survive in connecting surface-fed streams due to
lethal winter temps. In 2012, mature snails were found in the Guadalupe
River (GR) some 15 km downstream from the CR, in water as cold as
12° C, and remained below 18° C for 36 d. Then in 2014, abundant live
snails were detected in the SMR 50+ river km downstream from the
headsprings. The inevitable conclusion that arises from these alarming
findings is that numerous fisheries in surface-fed streams are no longer
safe from the parasites transmitted by these thiarids. Our team has
started a longitudinal sampling effort along the SMR & GR in an attempt
to synthesize a model of how this snail has adapted to thrive in waters
colder than its published lethal thermal minimum. We will investigate
the phenotypic & genotypic variation amongst sampled morphs, the finescale ecological & thermal distributions, as well as the differential
parasitic contribution of recognizable morphs in all three river systems.
30
9:15 am
29. Metacercaria of Macroderoides from cranial bones of Dionda
diaboli refugium stock, with notes on infection of other small fishes
from spring-fed systems in west Texas. D. G. Huffman, M. L. D.
Worsham, S. F. Harding, and D. Hahn. Department of Biology, Texas
State University.
The Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli) is a federally protected
species with a very limited geographic distribution. A captive refugium
population is maintained at the USFWS San Marcos Aquatic Resource
Center. Periodically, wild minnows are collected from native locations
and brought to the facility for use as breeders. On several occasions fish
collected from the Pinto Creek would abruptly exhibit erratic darting and
spinning behaviors and later die of exhaustion and emaciation. In 2013,
a fresh-dead “spinner” was given to us for parasitological examination.
Numerous metacercarial cysts of a trematode later identified as
Macroderoides sp were found encysted in the neurocranial and
splanchnocranial bones. Seven species of Macroderoides are known
from North America, but metacercariae are only known for two species,
and neither is reported from cranial bones. Genetic analysis of the
cranial cysts was ambiguous, with 18S rRNA congruent with M. typicus
and the ITS region congruent with M. spiniferus. The cause/effect
picture of the neurosis is complicated by two issues: (1) three small F1
spinners produced at the hatchery have also exhibited spinning behavior
in the absence of cranial cysts, and (2) the spinning neurosis is
inconsistent with behavior expected from pressure on the brain. We
hypothesize that Macroderoides might be transmitting a Neorickettsialike organism to the parental stock which is transferred to the F1 spinners
transovarially, or that the worms induce an epigenetic change in the
parental stock that manifests in the F1 spinners. We are currently waiting
for more specimens for further genetic analysis of the metacercariae and
possible prospecting for Neorickettsia.
31
9:30 am
30. Caryophyllaeid Tapeworms from Freshwater Fishes in the Big
Thicket National Preserve and Surrounding Areas. Michael A.
Barger and James Shaffer, Department of Natural Science, Peru State
College, Peru, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Since 2007, 133 catastomids representing 6 species (Carpiodes carpio,
Erimyzon oblongus, Erimyzon sucetta, Ictiobus bubalus, Minytrema
melanops, and Moxostoma poecilurum) have been collected from 15 sites
in the ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams of the Trinity River and Neches
River systems in southeastern Texas as part of an All Taxa Biodiversity
Inventory in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Members of all sucker
species harbored caryophyllaeid tapeworms (overall prevalence = 0.34),
including the following species: Biacetabulum banghami, Calintinella
etnieri, Glaridacris confusus, Glaridacris laruei, Homeomorpha
mackiewiczi, Isoglaridacris agminis, and Promonobothrium minytremi.
In addition, Khawia iowensis was found in 1 Cyprinus carpio. To date,
smallmouth buffalo (I. bubalus) and spotted suckers (M. melanops)
harbored the most species (3 each), with buffalo most commonly and
heavily infected, harboring nearly 80% of the worms found in all
suckers. In addition to the recently described genus and species, H.
mackiewiczi, 3 additional new species have been collected and will be
described when sufficient material is available (1 each from C. carpio, E.
oblongus, and I. bubalus). These data suggest that there is substantial
undiscovered caryophylllaeid diversity in the drainages of the Gulf Coast
that more-or-less parallels the pattern emerging from recent work on the
trematode parasites of fishes in this region. In addition to species
discovery, these collections are being used in studies clarifying
taxonomic relationships among species, e.g., a preliminary taxonomic
analysis of the morphologically similar G. confusus and G. laruei has
been completed.
32
9:45 am
31. Phylogenetic position of Vexillata in the Heligmosomoidea. S.
Monks, J. Falcón-Ordaz, S. L. Gardner, and G. Pulido-Flores, Centro de
Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de
Hidalgo, México, and Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Nematodes are both interesting and frustrating from a phylogenetic
viewpoint because they are a large group and, although they have similar
general morphology, the subgroups have novel characteristics that set
each apart. Heligmosomoidea is one such group; members have a system
of longitudinal cuticular ridges, the synlophe, which are pinched out
from the sides of the adult worms. Cuticular structure has been given the
most taxonomic weight in the recognition of genera and species, but it
has not often been examined in a cladistic framework. Important
features include the number of spines and the size and orientation of the
lateral extensions. The purpose of this study was to use these and other
morphological characteristics to produce a hypothesis of the position of
Vexillata Travassos (1937) in the Superfamily Heligmosomoidea. The
type species of members of the six families (eight subfamilies) were
included in the study, with data taken from the original descriptions and
direct observation of specimens. The ingroup (Heligmosomoidea)
included 13 representative species and the outgroup consisted of
representatives of Trichostrongyloidea (Trichostrongylus calcaratus) and
Haemonchinae (Boehmiella wilsoni). As a first step, 11 qualitative
characters, with 23 character states, were used. The data was analyzed
using PAUP 4.10b, maximum parsimony, characters unordered and
weighted equally. The analysis resulted in 16 equally parsimonious
trees, 25 steps, CI=0.92, RI=0.93. The relationships between members
of three of the families, Viannaidae, Heligmosomidae, and
Heligmonellidae were not resolved, although V. vexillata was sister taxa
to Pudica pudica (Pudicinae: Heligmonellidae). Based on these results,
Vexillata should be assigned to Heligmonellidae (bursal rays 2-2-1,
caudal spine absent in females, angular orientation of the synlophe).
Pudica pudica and V. vexillata both have the spines of the synlophe
directed from right to left. The next step in the study is to include data
from meristic and continuous characters.
10:00 am – ADJOURNMENT
 Safe travels home! See you next year! 
33
NOTES:
34
Year
1970-1973
1973-1977
1977-1979
1979-1982
1982-1987
1987-1990
1990-1993
1993-1996
1996-1998
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2007-2008
2009-2010
2011-2014
2015-2018
Rep to ASP Council
Thomas C. Orihel
Walter M. Kemp
David G. Huffman
John Janovy, Jr.
Donald W. Duszynski
John R. Bristol
Danny Pence
Lynn Ann Hertel
Cynthia Chappell
Lee Couch
Scott L. Gardner
Richard E. Clopton
Scott L. Gardner
Michael A. Barger
Scott D. Snyder
Jerry L. Cook
Tamara J. Cook
Matthew G. Bolek
Richard E. Clopton
Matthew G. Bolek
Year
1969-1971
1971-1974
1974-1977
1977-1980
1980-1983
1983-1986
1986-1989
1989-1992
1992-1995
1995-2001
2001-2005
2005-2011
2011-2014
2014-
Secretary-Treasurer
Betty June Myers
Gilbert A. Castro
Thomas G. Meade
David A. Becker
David G. Huffman
A. Alan Kocan
Lillian F. Mayberry
David T. John
Eric S. Loker
John Janovy, Jr.
John Hnida
Jerry L. Cook
Debra T. Clopton
Tamara J. Cook
35
President
Year
President-Elect---------------
G. Robert Coatney
1969
Franklin SogandaresBernal
Leroy J. Olson
Lionel Warren
Betty June Myers
Thomas C. Orihel
Donald V. Moore
Gilbert A. Castro
Richard D. Lumsden
Calvin G. Beames, Jr.
Calvin G. Beames, Jr.
Donald W. Duszynski
Walter M. Kemp
John E. Ubelaker
Larry S. Roberts
Robert O. McAllister
Ben G. Harris
John R. Bristol
Timothy P. Yoshino
A. Alan Kocan
John Janovy, Jr.
Marc H. Dresden
Lillian F. Mayberry
George L. Stewart
Cynthia L. Chappell
David T. John
Jerry Y. Niederkorn
Lee Couch
Steve J. Upton
Chris T. McAllister
Patricia G. Wilber
Richard E. Clopton
Brent B. Nickol
Dennis J. Richardson
Sidney A. Ewing
Scott D. Snyder
Tamara J. Cook
Michael A. Barger
Scott L. Gardner
J. Teague Self
1970
Franklin Sogandares-Bernal
1971
Leroy J. Olson
1972
Betty June Myers
1973
Clark P. Read (Donald V. Moore)
1974
Robert E. Kuntz
1975
Gilbert A. Castro
1976
Richard D. Lumsden
1977
John R. Seed
1978
Calvin G. Beames, Jr.
1979
Donald W. Duszynski
1980
Walter M. Kemp
1981
John E. Ubelaker
1982
Larry S. Roberts
1983
David G. Huffman
1984
Ben G. Harris
1985
John R. Bristol
1986
Timothy P. Yoshino
1987
A. Alan Kocan
1988
John Janovy, Jr.
1989
Marc H. Dresden(Lillian F. Mayberry)1990
Lillian F. Mayberry
1991
George L. Stewart
1992
Cynthia L. Chappell
1993
David T. John
1994
Jerry Y. Niederkorn
1995
Lee Couch
1996
Steve J. Upton
1997
Chris T. McAllister
1998
Patricia G. Wilber
1999
Richard E. Clopton
2000
Brent B. Nickol
2001
Dennis J. Richardson
2002
Sidney A. Ewing
2003
Scott D. Snyder
2004
Tamara J. Cook
2005
Michael A. Barger
2006
President
Year
President-Elect---------------
Scott L. Gardner
F. Agustín Jiménez
Kirsten Jensen
John Hnida
Matthew G. Bolek
Alan M. Fedynich
Charles K. Blend
Ben Hanelt
Sara V. Brant
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
F. Agustín Jiménez
Kirsten Jensen
John Hnida
Matthew G. Bolek
Alan M. Fedynich
Charles K. Blend
Ben Hanelt
Sara V. Brant
Megan Wise de Valdez
The University of Oklahoma Biological Station is at the end of Oklahoma
University Road, off of U.S. Hwy. 377, which is also
Oklahoma State Hwy. 99, between Whitesboro, TX and Madill, OK.