The bigger, the better? Volume measurements of parasites and hosts: Parasitic barnacles (Cirripedia, Rhizocephala) and their decapod hosts

PLoS One. 2017 Jul 5;12(7):e0179958. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179958. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Rhizocephala, a group of parasitic castrators of other crustaceans, shows remarkable morphological adaptations to their lifestyle. The adult female parasite consists of a body that can be differentiated into two distinct regions: a sac-like structure containing the reproductive organs (the externa), and a trophic, root like system situated inside the hosts body (the interna). Parasitism results in the castration of their hosts, achieved by absorbing the entire reproductive energy of the host. Thus, the ratio of the host and parasite sizes is crucial for the understanding of the parasite's energetic cost. Using advanced imaging methods (micro-CT in conjunction with 3D modeling), we measured the volume of parasitic structures (externa, interna, egg mass, egg number, visceral mass) and the volume of the entire host. Our results show positive correlations between the volume of (1) entire rhizocephalan (externa + interna) and host body, (2) rhizocephalan externa and host body, (3) rhizocephalan visceral mass and rhizocephalan body, (4) egg mass and rhizocephalan externa, (5) rhizocephalan egg mass and their egg number. Comparing the rhizocephalan Sylon hippolytes, a parasite of caridean shrimps, and representatives of Peltogaster, parasites of hermit crabs, we could match their different traits on a reconstructed relationship. With this study we add new and significant information to our global understanding of the evolution of parasitic castrators, of interactions between a parasitic castrator and its host and of different parasitic strategies within parasitic castrators exemplified by rhizocephalans.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Biological
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Ovum / cytology
  • Pandalidae / anatomy & histology
  • Pandalidae / parasitology*
  • Pandalidae / physiology
  • Thoracica / anatomy & histology*
  • Thoracica / physiology
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Grants and funding

CN and MKH are grateful to be funded by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes with a PhD fellowship. CN is furthermore grateful to be funded by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes with a grant for a six month research stay in Bergen, Norway. JTH is kindly funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under Ha 6300/3-1. JT Hoeg is grateful to be funded by the Carlsberg Foundation under 2008_01_0491 and 2013_01_0130 and by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation under 4070-00148B. C Noever and HG were financed by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (NBIC). HG was furthermore financed by the Carlsberg Foundation under 2008_01_0491. The University of Bergen (Norway) and the NBIC financed the sampling cruise. The University of Greifswald (Germany) financed the micro CT scans with a DFG grant under INST 292/119-1 FUGG and INST 292/120-1 FUGG.