Attempted Post Molting Horizontal Transmission of the Microsporidia Parasite Cougourde//a sp. Among the Caddisfly G/ossosoma nigrior
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Authors
Kamm, Jonathan M.
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The caddisfly Glossosoma nigrior plays an essential role in stream ecology by
helping to regulate different trophic interactions by maintaining periphyton levels. It is a
dominant grazer in the cold water stream environment and can help dictate population
dynamics of many other important cold water stream species. Recently, it has been
discovered that Glossosoma, is host to a lethal microsporidia fungal parasite,
Cougourdella sp. Transmission of Cougourdella could occur horizontally, via the
ingestion of spores, or vertically via the passing of infection during prenatal care.
Attempts have been made to study the methods of transmission of Cougourdella sp.
among Glossosoma using both of these strategies, however the current transmission
method remains unknown. Viable Cougourdella sp. spores were mixed with a typical
algal diet and fed to Glossosoma after molting to test the hypothesis that Glossosoma are
susceptible to the pathogen during a post molting feeding time via horizontal
transmission. Visual results using microscopy showed that infection did not occur in any
Glossosoma individual, and a select sampling of peR and DNA analysis confirmed this.
It is possible that Cougourdella sp. may require an intermediate host in order to
successfully complete its lifecycle in Glossosoma.
Description
v, 23 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
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