Trematode-induced alterations in shell shape of the mud snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus (Prosobranchia: Batillariidae)

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The shell morphology of mud snails, Zeacumantus subcarinatus, both uninfected and infected by trematodes, was compared to determine if different trematode species induce different degrees of alteration in host shell shape. Snails harbouring either the echinostomatid Acanthoparyphium sp., or a double infection by the microphallid Maritrema novaezealandensis and an undescribed philophthalmid species, had a wider shell base relative to the rest of the shell spire, than uninfected snails or snails infected by only one of the latter two trematode species. These results are independent of any differences in shell length among the different infection groups. The findings of this study suggest that alterations in host shell morphology are species-specific trematode manipulations of host phenotype rather than a generalized host response to castrating trematodes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Volume85
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)989-992
Number of pages4
ISSN0025-3154
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2005

ID: 204076765