Effect of parasitism of Lernaea cyprinacea on tadpoles of the invasive species Lithobates catesbeianus

SALINAS, ZULMA A.; BABINI, MARÍA SELENE; GRENAT, PABLO R.; BIOLÉ, FERNANDA G.; MARTINO, ADOLFO L.; SALAS, NANCY E.

Heliyon

Elsevier BV

Año: 2019 vol. 5

2405-8440

Theintroduction of invasive species is one of the greatest threats currently facedby natural ecosystems, causing ecological imbalances between native populationsand transmission of a variety of diseases. We reported the interaction betweentwo exotic species given by the parasitic infestation of the copepod Lernaeacyprinacea in the early stages of the development of the American bullfrogLithobates catesbeianus in the central area ofLernaea cyprinacea in Lithobatescatesbeianus´ tadpoles Argentina. In this paper we analysed the leukocyteprofile of parasitized and non-parasitized tadpoles of L. catesbeianus with L.cyprinacea and their body condition (BC) as biomarkers of the health status oforganisms. A total of 27 tadpoles of L. catesbeianus were analysed (12non-parasitized and 15 parasitized). The lower BC recorded in parasitized organismsshow a lower health status in these tadpoles, which could be affecting the metamorphosisand therefore impact at the population level. Leukocyte response of L. catesbeianustadpoles to the parasitism of L. cyprinacea was found. Mature and immature lymphocytefrequencies and hematocrit were higher in parasitized compared to non-parasitizedtadpoles, which is a typical response to the presence of parasites. However, eosinophilsand monocytes were recorded at high frequencies in not parasitized tadpoles, whichcould be due to the important role played by these leucocytes in themetamorphosis of frogs. The results of this study constitute a first antecedenton leukocyte profile in aquatic stages of anurans during an ectoparasitosis andits possible implications for environmental health. The parasitism of L.cyprinacea influences the biology of the American bullfrog at both theindividual and population levels. Parasitized individuals are not killeddirectly by the parasite, but they can create conditions for secondaryinfections, growth retardation, behavioral changes and, ultimately, reducepopulations.