IIMYC   23581
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MARINAS Y COSTERAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
A test of the 'nutritional drain' and 'steric interference' hypotheses explaining host reproductive cessation by parasitic castrators using a marine model system
Autor/es:
EMILIANO H. OCAMPO; JUAN ANTONIO BAEZA
Lugar:
Jacksonville, Florida
Reunión:
Encuentro; 43rd Benthic Ecology Meeting; 2014
Resumen:
The mechanisms used by parasitic castrators to halt host reproduction are not understood. The ´nutritional drain´ hypothesis states that host castration is caused by the feeding behavior of parasites that ultimately diminishes host energy intake. The ´steric interference´ hypothesis states that castration occurs when parasites physically inhibit host reproduction. We tested whether these hypotheses explain castration in three slipper limpet species parasitized by Calyptraeotheres garthi. We found that none of the limpets brooded embryos during the breeding season when infested by pea-crabs. Also, infested limpets of Crepidula cachimilla, did not reproduce during a 90-d experimental period while formerly infested limpets resumed reproduction soon after pea-crabs were experimentally removed from their brooding chamber. Calyptraeotheres garthi does castrate limpets and castration is reversible. Pea-crabs ´stole´ portions of phytoplankton-rich mucus cords produced by limpets while feeding. This activity neither affected the feeding efficiency nor impacted the limpet´s body condition. Thus, our results do not support the ´nutritional drain´ hypothesis explaining castration. Furthermore, that limpets promptly recovered reproductive activity once pea-crabs were removed from brooding chambers and that parasitized limpets did exhibit fully mature ovaries support the ´steric interference´ hypothesis explaining parasitic castration. Benefits to pea-crabs derived from castrating their hosts deserve further attention.