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Effects of mermithid parasitism on the haemolymph composition of the larval blackflies Prosimulium mixtum/fuscum and Simulium venustum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

R. Gordon ,
W. J. Condon ,
W. J. Edgar  and
Sally J. Babie
R. Gordon
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada
W. J. Condon
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada
W. J. Edgar
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Sally J. Babie
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Summary

Haemolymph of larval blackflies Prosimulium mixtum/fuscum and Simulium venustum parasitized by the mermithid nematode Neomesomermis flumenalis was compared with that of non-parasitized hosts with respect to protein, amino acid and carbohydrate composition. The mermithid depleted most protein fractions in a non-selective manner in both host species. In P. mixtum/fuscum, the levels of most amino compounds were reduced by mermithid parasitism, but these metabolites were approximately evenly divided into three categories (decreased, increased, unaffected by parasitism) in S. venustum. The mermithid caused a significant decrease of haemolymph glucose levels in both host species but did not affect blood trehalose concentrations. These effects of parasitism are discussed in relation to the nematode's nutritional requirements.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 77 , Issue 3 , December 1978 , pp. 367 - 374
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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References

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