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Comparison of the effects of multiple variables on the levels of infection of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, in its intermediate host, the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2020

A. Yezerski Open the ORCID record for A. Yezerski [Opens in a new window] ,
Y. Luyten  and
T. Dubiel
A. Yezerski*
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of Vermont, Marsh Life Science Building, Burlington, VT05405, USA
Y. Luyten
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of Vermont, Marsh Life Science Building, Burlington, VT05405, USA
T. Dubiel
Affiliation:
Biology Department, University of Vermont, Marsh Life Science Building, Burlington, VT05405, USA
*
Author for correspondence: A. Yezerski, E-mail: annyezerski@kings.edu
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Abstract

The interaction of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, with its intermediate beetle host, Tribolium confusum, is a well-studied model system. However, there is so much variation in the methods and designs of the studies that it is difficult to draw comparisons. This study simultaneously compared several aspects of the infection protocol including beetle age, sex, density and mating status; parasite egg condition, infection environment humidity and the times for the three steps of infection: starvation, feeding and post-feeding development. Although statistically limited by low prevalence and intensity levels, we were able to detect the relative effects of the variables. The effects of these variables on prevalence (percent infection) and intensity (mean number of cysticercoids) do not necessarily correlate with each other. Egg condition, reduced starvation times, higher beetle density and longer development times reduced prevalence. However, differences in intensity were only detected with older beetles. When coupled with survivorship data, our study found that our current infection protocol is optimal for infection success. However, the results suggest extending the study to other intermediate hosts and the inclusion of additional variables.

Keywords

Tribolium confusumHymenolepis diminutacysticercoidinfection protocolsusceptibility
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 94 , 2020 , e116
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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Footnotes

*

Current address: Ann Yezerski, King's College, Biology Department, 133 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, USA

†

Current address: Yvette Luyten, New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938-2723, USA

‡

Current address: Trajan Dubiel, Michigan State University, 404 Wilson Road, Room 201, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

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