Endocrine and immune responses of larval amphibians to trematode exposure.

In nature, multiple waves of exposure to the same parasite are likely, making it important to understand how initial exposure or infection affects subsequent host infections, including the underlying physiological pathways involved. We tested whether experimental exposure to trematodes (Echinostoma trivolvis or Ribeiroia ondatrae) affected the stress hormone corticosterone (known to influence immunocompetence) in larvae representing five anuran species. We also examined the leukocyte profiles of seven host species after single exposure to R. ondatrae (including four species at multiple time points) and determined if parasite success differed between individuals given one or two challenges. We found strong interspecific variation among anuran species in their corticosterone levels and leukocyte profiles, and fewer R. ondatrae established in tadpoles previously challenged, consistent with defense "priming." However, exposure to either trematode had only weak effects on our measured responses. Tadpoles exposed to E. trivolvis had decreased corticosterone levels relative to controls, whereas those exposed to R. ondatrae exhibited no change. Similarly, R. ondatrae exposure did not lead to appreciable changes in host leukocyte profiles, even after multiple challenges. Prior exposure thus influenced host susceptibility to trematodes, but was not obviously associated with shifts in leukocyte counts or corticosterone, in contrast to work with microparasites.

Time-lagged effect of predators on tadpole behaviour and parasite infection.

Prey should adjust their defences against natural enemies to match their current level of risk and balance other needs. This is particularly important when optimal defences represent trade-offs, as is the case with many predator-induced trait-mediated indirect effects (TMIEs) that are antagonistic to those promoting host resistance to parasites and pathogens. However, trade-offs may depend on whether different natural enemies are present simultaneously or represent temporally discrete threats. We found that larval amphibians (Anaxyrus americanus) previously exposed to predator cues did not engage in anti-parasite behaviours (activity increases) in response to a current risk of infection by a pathogenic trematode parasite compared to controls, resulting in higher infection intensities. This suggests that the memory of the likely more lethal threat (predation) had greater influence, maladaptively dampening tadpole activity. Incorporating complexity inherent in natural systems, including spatial and temporal overlap, is necessary to better understand natural enemy ecology and how TMIEs relate to infectious diseases.

Diversity of fungi from the mound nests of Formica ulkei and adjacent non-nest soils.

Culture-based methods were employed to recover 3929 isolates of fungi from soils collected in May and July 2014 from mound nests of Formica ulkei and adjacent non-nest sites. The abundance, diversity, and richness of species from nest mounds exceeded those of non-mound soils, particularly in July. Communities of fungi from mounds were more similar to those from mounds than non-mounds; this was also the case for non-mound soils with the exception of one non-mound site in July. Species of Aspergillus, Paecilomyces, and Penicillium were dominant in nest soils and represented up to 81.8% of the taxa recovered. Members of the genus Aspergillus accounted for the majority of Trichocomaceae from nests and were represented almost exclusively by Aspergillus navahoensis and Aspergillus pseudodeflectus. Dominant fungi from non-mound sites included Cladosporium cladosporioides, Geomyces pannorum, and species of Acremonium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Phoma. Although mound nests were warmer than adjacent soils, the dominance of xerotolerant Aspergillus in soils from mounds and the isolation of the majority of Trichocomaceae at 25 and 35 °C suggests that both temperature and water availability may be determinants of fungal community structure in nests of F. ulkei.