This study was designed to explore the nutritional relationship between Gregarina confusa (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) parasites and its coleopteran host, Tribolium destructor, by measuring the cytoplasmic density of gregarines in continuously fed larvae, starved larvae, and larvae refed after starvation. Cultures were maintained in a standard media (whole wheat flour:commercial wheat germ:yeast [30:10:1]). Larvae from control and experimental groups were dissected daily for 3 days then allowed to feed or starve for an additional 3 days. On day 6, the remaining experimental larvae were divided and placed into 2 groups; 1 group remained starved while larvae from the second group were fed a Wheaties® flake. Photographs were taken of the parasites daily and analyzed using ScionImage™. Gregarines from starved larvae were significantly longer and skinnier than those from fed controls, and there was also a significant difference between gregarine deutomerite cytoplasmic densities. Parasites from refed larvae regained cytoplasmic density within 24 hr and showed morphological similarities to those from fed larvae. This study shows that the Tribolium destructor–Gregarina confusa relationship can be manipulated easily through alterations of host diet and thus is an excellent model for use in the study of chemical relationships between parasites and their hosts.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2008
BIOCHEMISTRY-PHYSIOLOGY|
June 01 2008
Gregarines on a Diet: The Effects of Host Starvation on Gregarina confusa Janovy et al., 2007 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) in Tribolium destructor Uyttenboogaart, 1933 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae
Jodi Schreurs;
Jodi Schreurs
School of Life Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska. [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
John Janovy, Jr.
John Janovy, Jr.
School of Life Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska. [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
J Parasitol (2008) 94 (3): 567–570.
Citation
Jodi Schreurs, John Janovy; Gregarines on a Diet: The Effects of Host Starvation on Gregarina confusa Janovy et al., 2007 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) in Tribolium destructor Uyttenboogaart, 1933 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae. J Parasitol 1 June 2008; 94 (3): 567–570. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-1325.1
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your Institution
4
Views
11
Crossref
Citing articles via
MOLECULAR AND NEW MORPHOLOGICAL DATA ON NEMATODE HEDRURIS DRATINI FOUND PARASITIZING PSEUDIS MINUTA (ANURA: HYLIDAE)
Martin M. Montes, Yasmin Croci, Jorge Barneche, Dario Balcazar, German F. Reig Cardarella, Sergio R. Martorelli
CLITELLATE (ANNELIDA: CLITELLATA) PARASITES AND PREDATORS OF NORTH AMERICAN HERPETOFAUNA: CHECKLIST OF SPECIES, IDENTIFICATION KEY, AND A NEW RECORD FOR MEXICO
Manuel De Luna, Roberto García-Barrios, Diane P. Barton, Leonardo García-Vázquez
LOUSY ASSOCIATIONS: SUCKING LICE (PHTHIRAPTERA: ANOPLURA) PARASITIZING RODENTS AND LAGOMORPHS IN THE DESERT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, NEVADA
Sara B. Weinstein, John P. Dumbacher, Lance A. Durden
A NEW SPECIES OF ACANTHOBOTHRIUM (CESTODA: ONCHOPROTEOCEPHALIDEA), PARASITE OF THE GIANT ELECTRIC RAY NARCINE ENTEMEDOR JORDAN AND STARKS, 1895 (BATOIDEA: TORPEDINIFORMES) FROM MEXICO
Erick Rodríguez-Ibarra, Berenice Adán-Torres, Fernando Ruiz-Escobar, Gerardo Torres-Carrera
SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN GOATS FROM SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI, USA
Alexander D. W. Acholonu, Jamela S. Alexander