PARENT SESSION
Tuesday, August 8, 5:00-6:30 pm
Poster Session 8 - Aquatic ecology
Exhibit Hall, Ballroom Level, Cook Convention Center
Effects of trematode infection on foot morphology of a physid snail.
Blackford, Christina*,1, Brunkow, Paul1, 1 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL
ABSTRACT- Trematodes are a group of flatworms that cause several different ailments in various animals, including humans. Trematodes are parasites and depend on multiple animal hosts to complete their life cycle. Previous research has shown that trematodes can alter morphology and behavior of their hosts, and these alterations can increase host mortality. We examined effects of trematode infection on foot morphology in physid snails. Foot attachment surface area and foot shape of infected and uninfected snails were quantified under three different conditions in an experimental flume: 1) normal movement with no water flow and with foot fully extended, 2) a defensive position with no water flow and 3) normal movement upstream against water flow. Infection status did not significantly affect attachment area in any condition, but it did significantly affect foot shape especially in a defensive posture and when moving against flow. These results indicate that trematodes may alter the ability of snails to adhere to substrates. This could be a mechanism to increase the risk of predation on the snail and enable the trematode to complete its lifecycle by infecting a new host.
Key words: snails, host-parasite interaction, aquatic