10.5061/DRYAD.3C7F6
Lari, Ebrahim
University of Lethbridge
Goater, Cameron P.
University of Lethbridge
Cone, David K.
University of Lethbridge
Pyle, Greg G.
University of Lethbridge
Data from: Parasites and a host's sense of smell: reduced
chemosensory performance of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) infected
with a monogenean parasite
Dryad
dataset
2018
fish olfaction
fish olfaction
Pimephales promelas
Dactylogyrus olfactorius
electro-olfactography
2018-01-11T00:00:00Z
2018-01-11T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12642
21728 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
1. Parasites residing within the central nervous system of their hosts
have the potential to reduce various components of host performance, but
such effects are rarely evaluated. 2. We assessed the olfactory acuity of
fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) infected experimentally with the
monogenean Dactylogyrus olfactorius, the adults of which live within the
host's olfactory chambers. 3. Olfactory acuity was compared between
infected and uninfected hosts by assessing electro-olfactography (EOG)
neural responses to chemical stimuli that indicate the presence of food
(L-alanine) or the presence of conspecifics (taurocholic acid). We also
compared differences in gross morphology of the olfactory epithelium in
infected and uninfected minnows. 4. Differences in EOG responses between
infected and uninfected minnows to both cue types were non-significant at
30 d post-exposure. By days 60 and 90, coincident with a two times
increase in parasite intensity in the olfactory chambers, the EOG
responses of infected minnows were 70-90% lower than controls. When
infected fish were treated with a parasiticide (Prazipro), olfactory
acuity returned to control levels by day 7 post-treatment. 5. The observed
reduction in olfactory acuity is best explained by the reduced density of
cilia covering the olfactory chambers of infected fish, or by the
concomitant increase in the density of mucous cells that cover the
olfactory chambers. These morphological changes are likely due to the
direct effects of attachment and feeding by individual worms or by
indirect effects associated with host responses. Our results show that
infection of a commonly occurring monogenean in fathead minnows reduces
olfactory acuity. Parasite-induced interference with olfactory performance
may reduce a fish's ability to detect, or respond to, chemical cues
originating from food, predators, competitors, or mates.
Raw data - Parasites and a host’s sense of smellThis file includes raw
data from a study in which olfactory chamber of fathead minnows was
experimentally infected withDactylogyrus olfactorius. The data includes
parasite intensity, olfactory acuity of the host (post-exposure and after
treatment with anti-parasite), and density of rodlet and mucous cells on
the olfactory chamber of infected animals.Raw data.xlsx