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THE NATURAL PREVALENCE OF TRYPANOSOMATIDS (KINETOPLASTIDA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) IN AQUARIUS REMIGIS (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE), AND THEIR EFFECT ON GERRID MORPHOLOGY

Gurski, Kata C
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1060028991

Abstract Details

2003, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Zoology.
Insect-parasite interactions and their possible effects on the surrounding community are rarely studied in the context of a natural environment. Typically, studies examine the effect of parasitic infections under controlled conditions often varying one condition at a time with respect to infection. While these studies are important for isolating the effects parasites exert on insects, they may provide only limited insight to the actual host-parasite interaction as they occur in a natural setting when both organisms are exposed to a multitude of environmental stresses. Long-term observational studies of parasite prevalence are a logical starting point for studies of host-parasite interactions. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to address the following questions with respect to trypanosomatid parasites of Aquarius remigis hosts. First, what is the natural prevalence of trypanosomatids in gerrids within and among annual field seasons? Second, how does uninfected gerrid morphology vary spatially and temporally, and with respect to mating status? And third, does trypanosomatid infection affect morphological development of field-caught gerrids? From 1999 to 2002 I sampled 7633 adult and nymph Aquarius remigis gerrids from eight locations in four streams in Butler County, Ohio. I assayed 6836 gerrids for trypanosomatid infection and measured nine morphological traits of 688 individuals. Trypanosomatids were present in all four streams, and persisted at each site over the course of the study. Prevalence increased with host age, but did not differ between males and females. Patterns were similar among streams and years. Variation within a year was consistent with variation in gerrid mating periods, but not gerrid density. Gerrid morphology varied, but not consistently, between host generations, and among streams and location within stream. Trypanosomatid infections were associated with smaller adult males, but not females, and this effect was variable within and among streams. I suggest that both variation in parasite prevalence over time and in gerrid morphology over time and space is influenced by fluctuating environmental conditions. This study not only demonstrates the importance of long-term studies of parasite prevalence and host-parasite interactions, but it also suggests that variation in these interactions may be overlooked if only a single population is examined.
Mercedes Ebbert (Advisor)
241 p.
Gerridae; Trypanosomatidae; prevalence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gurski, K. C. (2003). THE NATURAL PREVALENCE OF TRYPANOSOMATIDS (KINETOPLASTIDA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) IN AQUARIUS REMIGIS (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE), AND THEIR EFFECT ON GERRID MORPHOLOGY [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1060028991

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gurski, Kata. THE NATURAL PREVALENCE OF TRYPANOSOMATIDS (KINETOPLASTIDA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) IN AQUARIUS REMIGIS (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE), AND THEIR EFFECT ON GERRID MORPHOLOGY. 2003. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1060028991.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gurski, Kata. "THE NATURAL PREVALENCE OF TRYPANOSOMATIDS (KINETOPLASTIDA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) IN AQUARIUS REMIGIS (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE), AND THEIR EFFECT ON GERRID MORPHOLOGY." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1060028991

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2003, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.