The influence of parasite load on transcriptional activity and morphology of a cestode and its ant intermediate host

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.02.526817
• Publication Date: 2023-02-03T05:20:31Z
• Authors: Tom Sistermans; Juliane Hartke; Marah Stoldt; Romain Libbrecht; Susanne Foitzik
• Keywords: Morphology

Abstract Parasites with complex life cycles are known to induce phenotypic changes in their intermediate hosts increase transmission the final host. The magnitude of these could number parasites, which would be beneficial co-infecting parasites. Yet, adverse effects high parasite load (i.e., many parasites a single host) might stress both and (e.g., through an increased immune response). We investigated consequences on transcriptional activity morphology cestode Anomotaenia brevis its host, ant Temnothorax nylanderi . demonstrated that differentially expressed host genes shifted load, functions indicate stronger response fight against oxidative heavily infected hosts. expression other responded infection all-or-nothing manner, as did workers. However, cestodes became smaller when they competed for resources from Their profile further indicated shifts avoidance, starvation resistance vesicle-mediated transport. In summary, our study reveals clear highlights specific processes traits affected by this.