Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A morphometric study of the effects of a mermithid parasite on its host, the chironomid midgeEinfeldia dissidens (Walker) (Diptera)

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The modifying effects of a mermithid infestation on the structure of imagines ofEinfeldia dissidens (Walker) were investigated by canonical variates analysis, using 11 body measurements as variates. Morphometric changes induced in parasitised hosts were found in both males and females, the most strongly affected characters were measurements of the head and wings. The analysis succeeded in distinguishing between parasitised and normal individuals using leg measurements, although this only accounted for a small proportion of the variability in the data. The two groups of parasitised individuals (genetic males and females) were morphologically indistinguishable, except for the structure of the genitalia by which they were still separable. The modifications are discussed in relation to the changes in behaviour of parasitised individuals and the life cycles of both parasite and host.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Downes JA (1969) The swarming and mating flight of Diptera. Ann Rev Entomol 14:271–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Götz P (1964) Der Einfluss unterschiedlicher Befallsbedingungen auf die mermithogene Intersexualität vonChironomus (Dipt.). Z Parasitenkd 24:484–545

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humphries CF (1938) The Chironomid fauna of the Grosser Plöner See, the relative density of its members and the emergence period. Arch Hydrobiol 33:535–584

    Google Scholar 

  • Rempel JG (1940) Intersexuality in Chironomidae induced by nematode parasitism. J Exp Zool 84:261–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Wülker W (1961) Untersuchungen über die Intersexualität der Chironomiden (Dipt.) nachParamermis-Infektion. Arch Hydrobiol Suppl 25:127–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Wülker W (1971) Untersuchungen über die Ultrastruktur der Gonaden vonChironomus (Dipt.) II. Ovarstrucktur nach Schädigung durch parasitäre Mermithiden. Z Parasitenkd 36:73–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Wülker W (1975) Parasite-induced castration and intersexuality in insects. In Reinboth R (ed) Intersexuality in the Animal Kingdom. Springer Verlag, New York, p 121–134

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, U.K.

    Graham Titmus & Ruth M. Badcock

Authors
  1. Graham Titmus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ruth M. Badcock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Titmus, G., Badcock, R.M. A morphometric study of the effects of a mermithid parasite on its host, the chironomid midgeEinfeldia dissidens (Walker) (Diptera). Z. Parasitenkd. 65, 353–357 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00926730

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00926730

Keywords

Search

Navigation