Parasite-host specificity: A cross-infection study of the parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha

Effects of the protozoan parasite ophryocystis elektroscirrha on the fitness of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus)

We evaluated the effects of the protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha on the survival and reproduction of monarch butterflies. Because larvae in natural populations are likely to experience a wide range of natural parasite population densities, we examined the effects of increasing spore density (0, 10, 100, or 1000 spores per larva) on host fitness. Parasites had little effect on mona...

Instar susceptibility of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) to the neogregarine parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha.

The susceptibility of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae to the neogregarine parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, was tested in the laboratory. Spore loads recovered from infected monarch butterflies were directly related to the inoculum level, larval stage of the host, and spore age. There was a linear relationship between spores ingested by first instar larvae and spore concent...

Host specificity of parasite manipulation

Recently we presented how Camponotus ants in Thailand infected with the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis are behaviorally manipulated into dying where the conditions are optimal for fungal development. Death incurred in a very narrow zone of space and here we compare this highly specific manipulation with a related system in Brazil. We show that the behavioral manipulation is less fine-tuned ...

Host-parasite molecular cross-talk during the manipulative process of a host by its parasite.

Many parasite taxa are able to alter a wide range of phenotypic traits of their hosts in ways that seem to improve the parasite's chance of completing its life cycle. Host behavioural alterations are classically seen as compelling illustrations of the 'extended phenotype' concept, which suggests that parasite genes have phenotype effects on the host. The molecular mechanisms and the host-parasi...

Actinomyces bovis a possible cause for calcification of the parasite in the host tissue